Few young athletes have the charisma, charm and spunk of the Baldwin Jets. Their practice sessions are well-orchestrated and lively events, and coach Barry Havior and his group of assistants really have their hands full when trying to round up 75 plus youths for a photograph. But four of his young athletes can always be found close together. Shakeria Collins, Brittany Trawick, Zykeria Williams and Daloria Boone lead a potent relay quartet that is steadily reaching new heights — and breaking state records in the process.

The team demolished the state 4x400 meter relay record [in their age bracket] with a time of 5:07.03 at a recent state meet in Carrollton, and they’re just getting warmed up.

The relay team’s lead sprinter, the fourth and final to run with the baton at the end of the race, is Boone. The talented youngster was eager to discuss her team’s success at meets, and looks forward to more record-breaking opportunities. This is Boone’s third year with the Jets and she’s a student at Eagle Ridge Elementary — and track and field isn’t the only sport that she finds exciting.

“I also play soccer and basketball,” she said.

Boone and her pals don’t mind putting forth hard work, especially if the opportunity to win and topple records lurks around the corner.

“We were excited [in Carrollton]. We were jumping all over the field and stuff. We went and got tons of other people, and they were just congratulating us and we were congratulating the other team,” said Boone.

The special friendship and bond shared by Boone and her teammates is priceless, and has a lot to do with their success on the track.

Shakeria Collins was also poised to discuss her track experiences with the Union-Recorder.

“I’ve been running track since I was 7,” said the 10-year-old Collins, who put on a show reminiscent of “Flo-Jo” at the recent state meet in Carrollton. Collins took home first place in the 9- to 10-year-old 400 meter dash with a time of 1:09.78. She also placed second in the 800 meters with a time of 2:58.15. And she’s only going to get better with age.

Collins’ current sport of choice is track, and she loves the thrill of winning races.

“It feels really exciting — it feels good,” she said. In regards to her fellow relay teammates, Collins didn’t hide their importance.

“We’re really, really close. And we have a lot of slumber parties,” she said with a grin.

Evan Simmons is also pretty obvious if you ever come around the Highway 212 soccer fields when ribbons and medals are being handed out. Mr. Simmons was weighed down at a recent practice session with some of his new wares, after sprinting to first place in three races at the state meet; the boys 9- to 10-year-old 800 meters, the 1600 meters and the long jump.

“I’ve been running track for two years. It feels exciting to win races,” said Simmons. “I also run and practice a lot.”