Athlete of the Week: Nimitz unified track headed to state with focus on ability of athletes

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Nimitz unified track team is a tough group to keep up with.

The Cougars were top qualifiers at the area and regional meets, and now they head off to the state championship at Del Valle High School outside Austin for a second year in a row.

Unified track pairs athletes with buddy partners who compete separately. Points are earned by each entrant and added up for their team's score.

At practice leading up to the state meet, senior Adrian Ramirez was paired with junior Dontay Hampton to provide support and instruction, kind of like another coach on the track.

"Our bond that we have while running, honestly, we push each other, we make sure that we are both mentally right," Ramirez said. "We push each other to the limits, to be better at something in life, in track or anything outside of track," Hampton said.

The Cougars show up, work hard, and gain confidence. It's about the lessons that carry them way beyond the finish line.

"I just want to do track because it will help me want to do more things," freshman Anya Pipkins said.

"It doesn't matter what disability you have because, like we tell them, that's a superpower," head track coach Kendra Venzant said. "A lot of our athletes come in ready to work."

"It tells me in life about something you would never give up," Pipkins said. "And don't keep, don't stop this, keep going."

"Helps expose yourself to people that's out there in public and things like that," Dontay Hampton said. "It also helps me be more active."

Good luck to Nimitz as they take flight at their second state championship in many years. Cougars have the talent and confidence to win it all.