Lutheran South had a tremendous season in 2020, going three rounds deep in the postseason.
What will they do for an encore?
VYPE caught up with LSA at their media day to get some insight on the season.
Lutheran South had a tremendous season in 2020, going three rounds deep in the postseason.
What will they do for an encore?
VYPE caught up with LSA at their media day to get some insight on the season.
HOUSTON - Turn on the video and the first thing you notice is Cameryn Dickson's bright red jersey against the dropbox of a dark April night.
The next is the junior pulling and running away from the pack during the 200-meter dash this past weekend. Not only did she just win, but with a blazing time of 23.48 seconds, Dickson won the race, broke a school record, and secured the fastest wind-legal time in the United States.
"It felt like I was flying. I felt as though I was in my element the whole race and knew once I left the blocks all I had to do was execute my race," Dickson said. "Once I got on the straightaway I felt so strong and had a feeling I would run a fast time.
"I just had no idea it would be the No. 1 time in the nation."
Dickson advanced to the Region III-6A Championships this week with that 23.48 time in the 200-meter dash and an 11.83 mark in the 100-meter dash.
The junior has always posted fast times.
Back in her freshman season at Clear Brook, Dickson advanced to the Regional Meet in the 100 and 200-meter dashes. In the 100, she punched her ticket to the UIL State Track Meet, where she finished eighth.
Her sophomore campaign was on track to be another big season until COVID-19 shut everything down.
That lost season has done nothing but put a chip on the shoulder of Dickson, who has come out in 2021 and done virtually nothing but win. In every meet she has run in this season - she hasn't finished less than second in any race.
"I felt I had something to prove since COVID took away my whole season last year," Dickson said. "I have matured mentally and physically since and I'm in even better shape than I was my freshman year. Last year an injury slowed my training but now I'm back with awesome coaching and training."
Great Area meet! On to regionals with the number one US time for high school and a new school record (23.48). pic.twitter.com/JjASfk0QBf
— Camryn🧚🏽♀️ (@camrynn_dickson) April 16, 2021
With a loss season that has affected the recruiting for a lot of track athletes.
Dickson told VYPE that she currently has no offers but has had a lot of communication with "top Division I schools". The junior expects her recruitment to really fire up once the NCAA lifts their dead period in the early summer.
"My dream school is ultimately where God leads me," Dickson said. "I've always wanted to continue my track career at Division I, a four-year university where I can obtain a degree in BioMed Engineering."
Outside of track, Dickson spends her time reading, drawing, painting and is very active in her church with their youth ministry program.
With the Regional Meet set for later this week, Dickson is focused on her ultimate goal but respects the fact that she has to race first before making plans for Austin.
"I honestly do not like talking about State prematurely because nothing is guaranteed," she said. "I respect all of the athletes that have also worked hard and advanced to Regionals so I must stay focused on the next race and not look past Regionals. With that being said, entering High School, my goal was to advance to State and win all four years.
"Making it to state this year would be the reward of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices my family and I have made."
Back to that video.
The 23-second clip of Dickson's Area Championship race in the 200-meter dash went viral over the weekend. The Tweet, which is pinned at the top of her account, has over 100 retweets and 600 likes with 17, 200 views.
"It's nice to see people are enjoying that particular performance, however, I don't really pay attention to the number of views because I don't want to lose sight of the end goal."
The junior is locked in and Austin is where she wants to end up.
Gabby Ayiteyfio screams on for her teammate and last leg of the girl's 4x100 meter race, Journie Franklin. The Longhorn's placed third in the race advancing them to the Regional meet.
The George Ranch Varsity Boys placed first as a team, while the Varsity Girls placed second under Seven Lakes at the 19A-20A Area meet held at Paetow High School. Here's a look into the heat brought by the Longhorns.
Aaron Scott - Aaron Scott is headed to the University of North Texas as an extremely talented6'6 ball-handler who has outstanding hustle and scrappiness. Aaron can also shoot the ball beautifully, with his midrange being deadly from all angles of the court, and he has a nice three ball you just cannot leave open. Aaron is a threat on the offensive side of the court and his length makes him hard to get around on the defensive end. Aaron was also awarded conference MVP as the season ended, so he is coming in hot for his freshman year as a member of the Mean Green family.
Ashton Smith - Ashton Smith who is headed to Texas A&M University is an absolute powerhouse in the paint. His dominance inside is nothing to take lightly and his rim protection is just as dangerous. Ashton will jump out of the gym and finish at the rim with authority, or out-rebound his competitors, and he can do it all night long.
PJ Neal- PJ Neal who is on his way to Prairie View A&M University does it all. From his shiftiness to his acrobatic finishes, PJ plays the role of a floor general and makes it look easy.PJ isn't one to back down from contact either. He blows by his defender with ease and can either analyze the floor to look for a dime or bulldoze his way to the paint to finish, and that is only him on the offensive end. PJ will put his opponent in a box and get you some steals with that, and on the fastbreak, you might want to watch your back if PJ is trailing for the chase-down block. PJ gives all his energy on the floor every night and can handle all the pressure in the world. In addition to his on-court success, he also succeeds in the classroom with a 3.4 GPA.
Johnathan Massie- Johnathan Massie, headed to McNeese State University, fires from anywhere and everywhere on the court. He handles the ball with finesse, enabling him to either lull his defender to become comfortable and let him breeze by, or go for the shot over them. Johnathan also is a great rebounder on the offensive end amongst the bigs, giving him and his team more and more possessions on their end of the court. Johnathan finishes at the rim with strength and will muscle his way into the paint if needed. Johnathan is an offensive threat who is able to shoot at will, size up his defender and drive by them for a mid-range shot, or just take it to the rim with contact. Not only is he focused on the court but also off the court, maintaining a3.0 GPA.
Jaylon Gibson- Jaylon Gibson who is bound for Mount Saint Mary is a 6'3 guard whose handle is ridiculously tight, whose vision is almost futuristic, and who can hit from deep or finish with aggression. Jaylon's feel for the floor is unmatched: he has an ability to quickly analyze the court and see looks that almost no one else would notice. Jaylon is always looking to get his teammates a bucket, but don't let up on him because he will make you pay. Jaylon puts a padlock on anyone in front of him and doesn't back down from a challenge.
Sir Issac Herron- Sir Issac Herron who is on his way to Oral Roberts University is a menace in the paint when it comes to protecting the rim. At a hefty 6'9 his length helps him to reach and block shots from all over. Not only is he defensive, but his post-game is also nothing to take lightly. He will face up with his defender and elevate for a shot over them easily, or he will get a feel for his opponent and decide if he should back them down or fade. On the fast break, he can push the ball up the court and hit a guard at a fast pace or simply take it to the rim and finish there. SirIssac can do just about everything for you as a big man.
Brian Myles- Brian Myles who is making his way to Prairie View A&M University is a big who has an immense amount of grit and is greedy on the boards. He will get up and bring the ball down at all costs. Not only does he crash the boards but he works his magic in the post as well. His post moves are technical and tough, from spinning on one side of the goal and finishing on the other end, finishing with contact, or facing up and analyzing how he wants to make his move; Brian is someone who handles his craft carefully. He handles his craft off the court just as carefully by maintaining a 3.0 GPA.
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