Spring ISD’s Dekaney High School’s 4×200-meter boys relay team made history on Saturday, May 3 at the UIL 6A State Track and Field Championships in Austin, winning the state title and breaking their own school record with a blazing time of 1:23.56.

Seniors Varquan Green, Nicholas Townsend, Samaritan Cunningham and Tanook Hines delivered the electrifying performance at the University of Texas – Austin’s Mike A. Myers Stadium, fueled by months of training, team chemistry, and a shared determination to bring home gold for their school and community.

Back in Spring – right above the lockers in the athletics wing of Dekaney High School – are the words “Champions do the ordinary things better than everybody else.” 

The boys 4×200 relay team took that statement to heart and not only put in the work, but accomplished a feat never before seen in the history of the Dekaney track program. The emotion of the moment swept over the entire team.

“When I saw the time and I saw we were first, I just ran towards my brothers,” senior Samaritan Cunningham said. “ It was a special moment – all glory to God for putting the team in that place for us to succeed.” 

“Honestly… I was exhausted and in a daze when the race was over,” Tanook Hines said. “I had to chase down some other really quick guys and I put my all into it. It really hasn’t hit me yet.” 

Head track coach Undre Martin even got swept up in the moment, and even nearly shed a tear. 

“If I was a crying man then I would have cried right then and there,” Martin said. “Myself and Coach Esdaille love these kids so much, and we were just so happy to see them succeed.” 

It is that love and dedication to the athletes that became a goal for Martin and Dekaney track assistant coach Donnell Esdaille when they took over the track program five years ago. They made it their mission to be able to send their athletes to college, and although they don’t have to go to school on a track scholarship – they feel as though it is their responsibility as educators and coaches to pour into their athletes. 

“It is a labor of love,” Esdaille said. “We love these kids, and seeing them go to college, have success and win is all that matters.” 

This is only the beginning for the track program in the relay team’s eyes. The potential is unlimited and they are proud to be the ones to set the standard. 

“We want to create a culture of winning here,” Nick Townsend said. “The future is bright and the younger players have the talent to go back to back, we want to show them the way.” 

In addition to the gold medal victory, Dekaney’s overall team performance stood out as well—earning them a third-place finish in the entire UIL 6A state competition. The achievement marked another historic milestone for the program, further showing the depth and drive of the Wildcat track team.

They now sport their bright gold state championship medals proudly, their hard work materialized into something no one can ever take from them.

“It’s a special feeling,” Varquan Green said. “It is still kind of crazy to think about, but we did it. We really did it.”