Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 8-21-18

Local
6th Annual Rodeo Fest To Be Held
Youth Athletic Ministry Closes Out Successful Track Season
At Fairgrounds
Trailblazers Youth Ath- letic Ministry, Inc. had an- other banner year and ended the 2018 track and field season in rare form once again, thanks to some very impressive perform- ances by some of its youngest athletes.
Demetrius “DJ” Jenkins went to the awards arena at the AAU National Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, on three separate occasions, taking first place wins in both the shot put and the discus for 11-year-old boys.
DJ has been the reign- ing champion of the shot- put event for the past three years. His winning toss of 38’9” in the shot put wowed the crowd earlier this month, but he wasn’t done yet. He also took first place in the discus with a throw of 85.’ He had a respectable showing in the turbo javelin with a toss of 93’9,” before he finally relaxed and en- joyed his vacation before heading back to the class- room as a 6th grader at Rampello Magnet School in Tampa.
Throwing Coach Tia Peoples said she appreci- ates working with DJ be- cause, “He has the discipline and desire that are needed to go far in ath- letics and life in general.” She has enjoyed watching him set and break his own throwing records almost every week throughout this entire track and field sea- son.
Coach Tia, although very soft-spoken, has a no- nonsense rule and her throwers appreciate that about her. DJ gets a lot of additional support from his parents, Demetrius Jenkins and Chinecqua Walker, who also took him to compete at the USATF National Track and Field Championships in North Carolina two weeks ago. He had very impressive throws as a new entry in that track and field meet as well.
Another athlete, 4-year- old Jonathan Brocks is the reigning champion of the 4-year-old boys division in the long jump at the AAU Primary National Champi-
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The year 2010 was defining for a Tampa man. During that year, he closed out one career and launched another.
Gus Trent retired from the U. S. Army after 28 years of service and decided to make Tampa his home. That same year, he began pursuing his interest in rodeos.
“Before 2010, I didn’t know anything about rodeos or horses. But, that had been a fascination of mine,” he said.
He joined the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo and his education began. When performing, Trent com- petes in the 4-horse relay race.
However, serving as a promoter, Trent is bring- ing the Rodeo Fest to the
Florida State Fairgrounds. This is the 6th year he has provided the form of west- ern entertainment to Tampa Bay residents.
The event will take place on Saturday, August 25th, at 6 p.m. It will feature bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, a 4-horse relay race, and mounted shooting. About 50 contestants, in- cluding youth and adults, as well as males and females will participate in the event.
Trent said the event is family-oriented and en- courages anyone with an in- terest in rodeos or horses to come out and enjoy the event.
In addition to offering the yearly rodeo, Trent also owns GT Ranch, a horse ranch in Plant City. The business offers shoot- ing, trail rides, special out- door events, and internships.
GUS TRENT Owner of Rodeo Fest
DEMETRIUS ‘DJ’ JENKINS
onships at the Disney Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida.
Jonathan’s first place win not only wowed the crowd, but is a new national record. He is a student at Seffner Christian Academy and enjoys painting and col- oring in his K-4 class. Jonathan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Julius (Carol) Brocks.
Other Competitors
Hillsborough High School senior hurdler, Qadiir Wajd was consis- tent through the season and proved his stability with a very impressive win at the USATF Youth National Championships in Brock- port, New York, with a first- place time of 14.52 in the 110 high hurdles.
He also had an impres- sive third place in the triple jump with a leap of 13.16 meters. His high hurdles time of 14.47 for a second place at the AAU Club Na- tional Championships at Disney was spectacular. Qadiir is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hassan (Brandi) Wajd.
Hillsborough High School freshman, Kylen Webb has been one to watch as he finished off a nearly perfect season with an impressive long jump first place at the AAU Club National Championships at Disney with a triple jump of 39’7.” He is the son of Pas- tor and Mrs. Karieem Webb of Tampa.
Other team members for the 2018 season: Annabella Hernandez, Jazmyn Wajd, Jasara Wajd, J’Nia Simpson, T’Liyah Wright, Nia
JONATHAN BROCKS
Rivers, Irenee James, Lillian Street, Chloe Davis, Aida Castelli, Amir Shaheed, Em- manuel James, Jayden Dixon, Demetrius Thompson, Carmelo Henry, Kendrick Ford, Andrew Brinson, Kevin N’Dambani, Nickolas Valentine, Kirin Karver, J’Kobe Jones, Nehemiah Rivers, III, Mykel Holmes, Dacari Wilson, Ethan Camp- bell, Kai Smart, Jack- son Parilo, Cassandrew Delicieux, Eric Byrd, Jr., Durnecia Bell, Samir Baker, Jr., and Rhalil Parks.
The Trailblazers Youth Athletic Ministry, Inc., bet- ter known as Trailblazer Nation is in its 21st year in the Tampa area under the watchful eye of President and founder, Regina Peo- ples Smith. The volunteer coaching staff of Tia Peo- ples, Hassan Wajd, Ne- hemiah Rivers, Desmond James and Marc Karver also make sure that each athlete suc- ceeds academically before performing in sports.
Coach Regina says that she and her wonderful team of volunteer coaches believe in Proverbs 22:6 which tells us to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
“As long as God gets the glory and the kids and fam- ilies remember where their strength comes, then I’m good,” says Coach Regina.
The team celebrated its success at the annual track and field banquet last week- end.
PAGE 10 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2018