Jackson back for encore

Not even LaQuisha Jackson can outrun the expectations.

Howard's talented sophomore sprinter has her work cut out to improve on last year's debut, the most decorated ninth-grade season ever for a Chattanooga athlete.

Jackson won four first-place medals at the Spring Fling state meet, dominating the Class AA field in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and helping the Lady Hustlin' Tigers' 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams win easily. Her 11.87 seconds in the 100 was the fastest time for all three girls' classifications, and her 24.51 in the 200 was four-tenths of a second off a 30-year-old state record.

She followed that up in August by breaking a 29-year-old AAU national record in the 400-meter dash. In that same meet, she finished second in the 200 and the 100.

"I already feel the pressure, and the season hasn't even started," Jackson said this week. "I know everybody is expecting a lot from me. Every race people are watching, and everybody is trying to beat me.

"But I have a lot more confidence after last year and what I did over the summer. I plan on working harder than I did last year and improving all my times."

Male athletes to watch1. Keenan Hale (McCallie): The junior is one of the most versatile athletes in the city and will compete in the high jump, 110- and 300-meter hurdles, triple jump, long jump and 400.2. Tobyus Simmons (Tyner): He helped the Rams win the state 4x100 relay and was on two other sprint relays and finished fourth in the long jump.3. Brandon Lord (Baylor): The University of Georgia signee was second in the 3200 and 1600 events at the state meet last year.Female athletes to watch1. Claire Turner (Red Bank): The senior is one of the state's top 1600- and 3200-meter runners.2. Ashley Taylor (Howard): The senior will be used in a variety of events, including the 400 and all three sprint relays.3. Hannah Jumper (Baylor): Only a junior, she won the Division II state title in the 3200 meters, was fourth in the 1600 and qualified in the 800.

Howard and Baylor won girls' state titles last year, but in much different manners. While Howard dominated the sprint events, Baylor won just two events but piled up enough points by having multiple athletes score points in nearly every event. It was the Lady Red Raiders' second straight Division II

title.

Howard's title was the program's first in more than 25 years, but four of the seven athletes who scored points are now gone, leaving Jackson and senior Ashley Taylor as the most experienced returning members.

But big things are expected from sophomore sprinter Cierra Lee and freshman NuQeilla Robinson, who will compete in the hurdles and sprint relays.

The Lady Hustlin' Tigers also had a coaching change. Jennifer Mitchell returned as head coach, a position she held for three years before stepping back to an assistant's role for two years.

"I think it should be a pretty smooth transition," Mitchell said. "I know the girls and what to expect, and they're comfortable with me. My biggest thing is to get the young kids to step up and contribute like we know they can.

"The good thing is Cierra and NuQeilla both have the same type drive and dedication that LaQuisha had when she came in last year. so I expect really big things from them. As for LaQuisha, we know we hold the bar high for her, but that's just where she is. She can be as good as she wants to be."

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