By Nicole Burns

For the FCT

Phil Campbell High School made a good run for a state title in track. Seventh grader Destyne Rondeau represented PCHS at the state competition at Cullman High School May 6. Rondeau was one of only 24 girls in the 2A division to compete in the 1600-meter race.

“I like to run – it’s fun,” said Rondeau. This was the 13-year-old’s first run at a state title, which she said seemed overwhelming at times. “It was big. That track seemed bigger than any other track I’ve ever been on.”

“I think she has a lot of potential,” said PCHS Girls Track Coach Amy Moss. “It was her first time running in a big event like that, and it was kind of overwhelming for her. She was a little nervous being on that big of a stage, but I think she has the potential to get a lot better over the next few years and be a really good runner.”

Being overwhelmed by her surroundings might have contributed to Rondeau’s 23rd place, but that’s not putting a damper on her passion to run. She ran a mile in 7:11 at the state competition and already has plans to strengthen her time over the summer.

“I’m going to practice running,” said Rondeau. “I want to run more than a mile each time I practice so that when I actually run a mile at a meet, it will feel like nothing since I practice running longer.”

“The best time in 2A was 5:55,” said Moss. “I told her that was the time we would start shooting for. We’re going to get her on a training program, and hopefully she can run in some local races and run on her own. That’s the best thing you can do.”

Rondeau said she’s following in her mother’s footsteps on the track. “Mom used to run the mile in high school, but she said she was never as fast as me,” said Rondeau.