Rockwall High School Jacket Backers names April Athletes of the Month

(ROCKWALL, TX — May 16, 2018) Congratulations to Rockwall High School Jacket Backers April Athletes of the Month ​​Chika Iwuamadi and Austin Shumake.  Listed below are all of the outstanding accomplishments made by these athletes during the month of April.​​

Chika Iwuamadi, Senior – Track and Field:Chika was a key member of the varsity girls 3rd District Championship in four years.  She qualified for area in the 4×200 relay, the 4×400 relay and the 400m dash.  At area, she qualified for regionals in all three again.  At regionals, Chika broke her PR and school record that she set last year.  In the prelims, she broke her record, and less than 24 hours later, took another second off her time to finish the 400m dash in 54.53.  Both were accomplished after running the 4×200 relay just 15 minutes prior.  Chika won the regional championship in the 400m dash, and qualified for state in the 4×400 relay as well. “ Chika is a very valuable piece in the success of our program,” said RHS Track and Field Coach Will McCrary. “ Athletes like her don’t come around very often.  Her work ethic is one that many of our young athletes try to imitate.  She leads by example each and every day.  Chika was asked to do the ‘impossible’ this year: run the 4×200 and the 400m dash, which are very close in the event schedule.  This was in addition to running the 4×400 relay.  Chika was up for the challenge and succeeded in the combination.  She is headed to state in her final meet as an RHS Lady Jacket, and I know she will go all out!” 
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Austin Shumake, Senior – Track and Field:At the district meet, Austin qualified for post season track for the first time in four years.  He competed at the area meet on April 20th in The Woodlands.  Austin is the example for JFND.  In three previous seasons, he had never advanced past the district meet.  This season Austin had some training partners that helped push him every day in practice.  Because of his work ethic in practice and never giving up, he was able to accomplish his goal of going post district. “ Austin is going to be missed,” Coach McCrary said. “ He was a major part of our men’s distance program and he was the ‘bell cow’ for the younger athletes.  He was a mentor and supporter of all kids, both boys and girls, in our distance program.  Austin will be attending Dallas Baptist University to continue his cross country and track careers. ”​