J. EDMUND BARNES

PHOTO: Rachel Branton is the winner of 2A District, Regional, and State high jump titles. (Staff Photo by J. Edmund Barnes) There’s nothing quite like natural talent. It has the capability of inspiring awe in some and envy in others. Recognizing talent early and being able to develop it to its full potential requires time and patience. Rachel Branton is just such a talent. Beginning in her eighth-grade year, she has consistantly managed to top her personal best in the high jump, reaching a personal best of 5’4″ during her senior year. At the State Track and Field meet, Branton again reached her personal best – and this time it was good enough to give her a Class 2A state title. Rachel’s high jumping ability was recognized by Riverside Academy girl’s middle school physical education teacher, Glen Fernandez. “Every year in spring I take the girls and walk them through the long jump and high jump. In the seventh grade, Rachel was jumping 4’6″ and 4’8″,” said Fernandez. Fernandez told head track and field coach John White about his prodigy. White then called Rachel out for the high jump in her eighth-grade year. As an eighth-grader on the varsity squad of Riverside’s track and field squad, Rachel placed third in state. Between her eighth-grade and freshman years, White had made Fernandez one of his assistant track and field coaches. Fernandez was then able to help Rachel into being the best athlete she could become. The results were immediate. In her freshman year, Rachel placed third again at the state track and field meet. Fernandez credits Rachel’s success to her work ethic and not to any innovative techiques she had created. “She worked hard,” said Fernandez. “She was very focused. She wanted to be the best.” Rachel and Fernandez agree as to her defining moment as a high school athlete. As a senior, Rachel set her sights upon winning a state title. As it turned out, winning a state title would mean a sweep of the high jump, because by the time she arrived in Baton Rouge for the tournament, Rachel had already won the district and regional events. Fernandez remembers arriving early in Baton Rouge and discovering that another girl at the competition had jumped 5’8″ earlier in the year, a full four inches higher than Rachel’s earlier personal best. He didn’t tell Rachel though, not wanting to upset his athlete before her final high school track meet. She found out about it, though. “I heard her say something about 5’8″, and I said, Oh, great. Now I won’t get first.’ The bar was set at 5’4″ and she jumped three times and missed.” Rachel missed on her first try at 5’4″. On her second try she cleared the bar. She landed on the mat as new state champion of the high jump. “For her to beat someone like that in her senior year was great,” said Fernandez, who credits Rachel’s drive and focus for keeping her at the high jump for so long. Rachel, on the other hand, credits Fernandez. According to Rachel, he was able to keep her focused by not pressuring her to win. “He only wanted me to do well,” said Rachel. “He was a really good coach.”