BC Girls Track

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The Lady Cardinal track team coaching staff consists of Karen Bozman (head coach, sprints & relays); Joe Blanda, triple jump, long jump; Kevin Jones, high jump; Terry Myer, pole vault; Cody Knight, distance; and Jamie Minner, shot put and discus.

BC’s Golden Girls

By Julie Shehane - Editor

For the Record

The Bridge City Lady Cardinal track team leaped their way into the record books at Friday's 12th annual Pirate Relay in Vidor and walked away with six first-place ribbons to leave the other nine competing teams seeing red at the end of the day. Although the Lady Cardinals took third in the all-around team competition with the Silsbee girls nudging them out for first place, the Lady Cardinals posted some historical performances and had what is being called "a banner day" performance.

Junior Brittany James broke two school records in the competition and landed her name in the official Bridge City High School record book for two separate events.

In the 100 meter, James took to the track and hustled her way down the lane, finishing first (12.3) and shattering a 10-year-old school record, placed in the books in 1997 by former BCISD track star Katy Shell (13.22).

But James wasn't satisfied with just one record breaking finish. She was just getting started and grabbed her pole a short time later to break a second school record and first place ribbon in the pole vault. James' record breaking leap (8.6) replaces a 2004 stretch (8), earned by former Cardinal Ciara Jackson.

"Brittany had a banner day," said Bridge City High School Girl's Head Track Coach Karen Bozman. "I'm so very excited for her."

James participated in a total of four events Friday. And she placed in all of them. In the 200 meter, she took an impressive second place finish (27.88) and earned a sixth place standing in the 400 meter ( 53.8).

But James was just one of the shining Lacy Cardinal stars at the event.

Senior Christina Jaques walked away from the Vidor Track Relay with first place ribbons in each of the three events she competed in. Jaques, who herself broke 21-year-old school record in the high jump event at a separate meet held last week, took a second consecutive first place high jump ribbon Friday (5.0). Her recent record breaking jump (5.6 ) finally broke a 1984 leap (5.5), made by former student Jan Mannino.

"That was very exciting, too," said Bozman. "That record was there for a long time and Christina deserves so much credit for what she did last week and this week. I really expect both of these girls to earn a spot in the UIL State Track and Field meet (set to take place this May in Austin). Christina is already jumping higher than last year’s state record holder (5.8). And what’s really amazing is that right after breaking the record at the track meet last week, Christina turned around and put on her catcher’s gear for softball and helped her team beat Jasper the same night.â€

During the Friday night game, Jaques went 5-5 against the Lady Bulldogs, with two runs, three RBI’s and a stolen base for a (15-0) win. The very next day, Jaques and her fellow Lady Cardinal softball team played three games against Louisiana’s best at a tournament in Sulphur. They defeated the Class 5A New Iberia team (2-1).

“It’s just amazing what she accomplished on both days, especially doing so well in softball, right after the Vidor Relay Track meet,†Bozman added.

Other first place honors Jaques earned at Friday's track meet included the long jump (15.9 3/4) and the triple jump (35.5).

In the 3200 meter, Bridge City's Erica Garza took the first place ribbon (12.42.26), while fellow Cardinal girl's track team members Ariel Chesson and Lisa Huyhn placed fourth and fifth respectively in the event.

"I'm really proud of all of the girls," said Bozman. "They had a great day and worked very hard and they all deserve so much credit. Even the coaches deserve a lot because everyone was a team. The girls, the coaches and everyone that helped with the relay."

Complete participants and place earners for the Lady Cardinals include:

3200 m

Erica Garza: 1st (12:42.26); Ariel Chesson, 4th (not available); Lisa Huyhn 5th (14:29.95).

400 m

Brittany James: 6th (53.8) Brittany Myers; Alexa Richmond; Amy Caillouet.

800 m

Morgan Broussard: 3rd (2:31.64); Emily Blanchard, 5th (2:44.92).

100m

Brittany James: 2nd (12.88); Brittany Myers, 5th (13.54).

200 m

Brittany James: 2nd (27.88)

1600 m

Morgan Broussard: 2nd (5:46.28); Erica Garza, 3rd (5:53.7); Emily Blanchard, 6th (6:17.31).

1600 m relay

Morgan Broussard: 5th (4:37.72); Jessica Garza; Ariel Chesson; Erica Garza.

Shot Put

Amy Caillouet: 4th (28’ 5 1?2“); Brittany Porter, 5th (26’ 9 1?2“).

Discus

Brittany Porter: 5th (80’ 2â€).

Long Jump

Christina Jaques: 1st (15’ 9 3?4â€).

Triple Jump

Christina Jaques: 1st (35’ 1?2“).

High Jump

Christina Jaques: 1st (5’).

Pole Vault

Brittany James: 1st (8’ 6â€); Chelsea Coleman, 4th (7’ 6â€).