Greenville High School’s Lazericka Louis will not have a chance to compete for a state track championship this spring, but she is still running hard each day in preparation for her future.
Lazericka signed a track scholarship to attend Hinds Community College last fall. Her specialty is the 400 meter run and the 200 meter run.
While Lazericka is unable to train on the school’s track, she is training each day, running through her neighborhood and local parks.
“It is not the same because I really enjoy running against other people and feeling the adrenaline that competition gives me,” Lazericka said. “I know that I need to train hard this summer and stay in shape if I want to have a successful career in college.”
“But, the hardest thing is that I don’t have a coach to push me. I have to motivate myself to be my best every day.”
As a junior, Lazericka came in fifth place at the MHSAA Class 6A State Track Meet. This spring Lazericka was only able to compete at one track meet before the coronavirus pandemic ended her season. She said she believed she had what it took to win the state championship.
“It is sad,” she said. “I was just coming out of basketball season, and I was really starting to show signs of improvement before our season ended.”
The current health crisis has taught Lazericka a valuable lesson of savoring each day, she said.
“I have really learned to be grateful and to not waste time,” she said. “Before school was canceled, I thought I was ready for it to be over. Now, that it is over I miss not having a chance to celebrate the end of it with all my friends.”
Track and field was not the only sport Lazericka has starred in. She was also a member of the Greenville High softball and basketball teams. On the basketball team last season, Lazericka was the Honeybees fourth leading scorer and she was second in assist. As a junior, Lazericka also played a key role in helping the Honeybees win their first 31 games of the season.
“I had a great coach (Dakedreon Lampkin) who inspired me to be who I am today,” Lazericka said.
