Keller's Julia Black Has A Big Week At State Games Of America

Aug 09, 2017

Photo by Alan Versaw

Last week, the AAU Junior Olympic Games wasn't the only track meet going on. As the AAU meet was being held in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the State Games of America were also being held in Grand Rapids, Michigan were . Athletes from all over the country travelled to compete in a variety of events from swimming, to ice hockey, to track and field.

Several Texas athletes found success at the State Games including Keller High School senior JULIA BLACK. Black, who is in the middle of her her cross country training competed in three events. Not only did she compete in three events, she pulled of the hat trick by winning the 800m, 1500m, and the 3k.

The State Games aren't new to Black who had competed in the State Games of Texas, "I had a great experience there, I wanted to see what it would be like on the national level." In 2015, Black won both the 1500m and the 3200m and then doubled back in 2016 for the 3200m win.

While currently in the middle training for cross country, Black decided to take to the track to test herself. Cross country training isn't ideal for a national level track meet, but Black was not deterred. "I had been training all summer for this upcoming cross country season, so I knew I had a great base going into these races. I was confident in myself while still keeping the right mind set. I knew I was prepared and that's all you can ask for."

Were Black's performances a sign of what is to come this cross season? "I think my times showed a lot of where I am physically. I know that if I'm able to do what I did this early, once we add more speed work and intensity the times will drop even more. These races really got me excited for the season because I cannot wait to see what my teammates and I can do."

Speaking of her teammates, the Keller Indians will enter this 2017 season as the defending UIL 6A State Cross Country champions and NXN automatic team qualifiers. Keller has been on a two year tear across courses state wide and even beyond Texas borders. Coach James Zaring and the Keller coaching staff have been pulling all of the right strings to get the ladies to click on all cylinders. "For this season we have our goals set high. We all know what our goal is and how we will reach it. Everyone is so excited and on fire for this season. We know that coming off a state team title means that we have to work even harder this year and we are all putting in the work to be where we want to be."

In the girls 800m, a Texas competitor was the winner of the U14, U16, and U18 race. Abigail Black won the U14 girls race with a 2:28.66 and Jessica Simon won the U16 girls race in 2:24.57. "It was really cool being in a race where Texas was able to take 1st in 3 different age groups. The girls who won the other two age groups were from San Marcos and Flower Mound. I may not have been able to meet if it wasn't for these games."

"The cool thing about The Games of America is that it includes every sport you can think of and people from all over the nation. You may meet people in your sport from a different state or you may meet people from your state but in different sport. It is the coolest thing ever for me to meet new people and get to know them, so going to The Games was a such a fun experience because I made so many new friends, while of course, racing my heart out."

"I love meeting new people! My teammates always laugh because I can literally become friends with someone in the matter of minutes! Not even 10 minutes into opening ceremonies I already met someone who was a swimmer from Texas! I met two girls from Wisconsin too which was really cool! I even ended up cooling down with one of them. It was so cool meeting new people in my races, and everyone was so nice."

Watch the 2017 UIL cross country season to see Black and her Keller teammates as they look to defend their 6A title.