TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
TEXARKANA BLACK MAMBAS TRACK CLUB GOALS Through their involvement in Track & Field, athletes will: • Improve their physical conditioning and overall health as we encourage a healthy lifestyle • Learn skills related to Track and Field: basic and advanced fundamentals • Build a positive self-image through individual and team achievement by setting and reaching attainable and personal goals • Learn to cope with adversity • Be part of an organization that promotes self-esteem, self-worth, a sense of accomplishment and the development of friendships VISION We teach our youth to run toward competition and not to shy away from it. In competing against other children from around the United States, we know there are faster and more advanced athletes; we continue to work harder and push towards excellence as we teach our kids to be competitive in everything they do. Texarkana Black Mambas is staffed with a team of coaches, parents, community leaders, and volunteers who realize children will compete for the rest of their lives in high school, college, and on the job. We are teaching our children how to succeed in life through organized sports, and eventually, our children will compete on a national stage for sports and win in life. OPPORTUNITY Texarkana Black Mambas Track Club focuses on the whole child, physical, social, and emotional. Being a part of a team promotes self-esteem, self-worth, and a sense of accomplishment. Studies have shown that participation in organized youth sports/ exercise promotes improved physical health, helps to maintain a healthy body weight, improves sleep quality, improves memory, promotes better decision making, improves mood, lower risk for depression, increases coping skills, and increases the capacity to learn. As Texarkana Black Mambas Track Club works to cultivate athletes, we will also prepare these youth for the highest level of competition at the AAU Junior Olympics (JO) National Championships. Our athletes will compete at local and regional track meets during the spring and summer in preparation for the National Championships that take place in July. Many of our athletes have had little opportunity to travel outside of the Texarkana area. Texarkana Black Mambas athletes will travel to compete in many states, including Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. This allows the opportunity to compete against other athletes with similar measuring points in Track and Field in preparation for the AAU Junior Olympics (JO) National Championships and to see life outside of Texarkana which we hope in return will motivate them to work harder and develop goals to work towards for their futures. Every year over 8,000 athletes compete at Nationals under media coverage. In 2021, the Texarkana Black Mambas sent 11 athletes to represent our area. Texarkana Black Mambas promotes and encourages excellence in education and giving back to our community. Our athletes are recognized for their academic success at school, as well as excellence in conduct. These athletes are awarded a certificate of achievement that highlights their academic excellence. Texarkana Black Mambas will complete a community service project each summer to learn the value of serving their community.
Meisha Johnson
Beyond the Black Mambas, Coach Black also spends his days with kids, coaching PE at Theron Jones Early Literacy Center. “We try to make a difference in the lives of Texarkana youth,” he said. “They are faced with so many issues at such an early age. We get to act as coaches, mentors, and big brothers and encourage these kids to make good choices. We try to teach our kids to deal with adversity on the track and in life, reaching kids any way we can.” The approach is simple, but profound. “Last year was our first year competing,” Coach Black explained. “We started practicing in January and had our first track meet in Florida in March.” Throughout the season, the team competes in nine track meets. The season ends with the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Junior Olympics (JO) National Championships. However, not every competitor qualifies for the Junior Olympics, and some do not want to compete at that level. Coach Black feels it is essential for his runners to see the competition beyond Texarkana
and to recognize their potential. Running is beneficial, but that is not all of it. “Most kids do not get to leave Texarkana, and they have never been to Florida. The best part was seeing a mom, dad, and kids excited over seeing different landmarks and experiencing the ocean for the first time.”
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