The Young Phenom Athletics is planning a track meet in memory of the late Pine Bluff High School student Parius Hicks, who was shot dead in March. Billed as the “Fastest Kid in the Bluff,” the meet will take place on Saturday, May 20, at Watson Chapel High School at 4000 Camden Road in Pine Bluff. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. The competition is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m.
Shannaine Eans is the head coach of the Young Phenom Athletics. She coached Parius Hicks with her father-in-law Louis Moss as part of the Louis Moss Striders Track Club.
“We were blessed to have Parius as an athlete,” Eans said. “I spoke with him a few days before he was killed. He wanted to graduate from high school. [His death] affects me. We have to be the change we wish to be. Parius was a great kid. If you said run five miles, he would say ‘Okay’ and do it.”
She recalled travelling to the University of Indiana for the USA TF Youth Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She said that Parius made friends with athletes from other states and he cherished relationships as much as the competition.
“He was a kid who overcame a lot of adversity but he never gave up,” Eans said. “You can get to your end goal if you keep trying. I have a video of Parius competing. I am putting it on the Fastest Kid website. I know he should be graduating from Pine Bluff High School. I went to his funeral. I looked around the room and thought it could have been any of these kids.”
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The upcoming meet is open to people from ages four to 100 and it is a USA Track and Field sanctioned event. The meet will offer the 50-meter, 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, 800-meter, 1500-meter, 4-by-100-meter relay, 4-by-400-meter relay, the long jump, shot put, and softball toss.
“We have seen it all,” Eans said. “We want to open it up to the entire community.”
Eans said her colleagues and she have talked about doing a scholarship in memory of Parius. They would love for a business to take the lead and offer money toward this end.
“It would definitely continue his memory in a positive way,” Eans said.
Fastest Kid in the Bluff is also intended to introduce people to track and field, to bridge the gap between Watson Chapel, Dollarway, Pine Bluff and White Hall. Eans said people have preconceived notions and she hopes to remove barriers.
“I know that a lot of times there are different events there is no relationship between the districts,” Eans said. “This would give them an opportunity to sit together and have conversations that they would not otherwise have. Kids can be kids. Adults can talk. We adults want our children to be fit and well and this is a way to introduce that. We have a high obesity rate.”
The track meet is being sponsored by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 4-H program; the UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Human Sciences; RF Gym; and Natural Bliss in White Hall.
“I am a personal trainer and I created a program to combat obesity and promote fitness,” Eans said. “Kids go outside and play. We get more sedentary as adults. Arkansas leads in obesity. We are not where we need to be but we can start working on it.”
Eans said this track meet is also promoting health and wellness.
“Registration is open until the day of competition,” Eans said. “You do not have to be affiliated with a team. Show up and compete. We are trying to partner with the schools. We will recognize the district who scores the most points. I am really excited.”
Eans credits Ashley Jones as the team secretary for Young Phenom Athletics and the event coordinator for Fastest Kid in the Bluff; her husband Marchello Eans as an assistant coach; and John Proctor, another event coordinator. They are asking for corporate sponsorships and individual donations to reach their goal in order to host the event. Entry fees, ticket sales, and in-kind donations from local businesses will be used to help offset the cost of promoting and putting on the event, according to their flyer. People may call (870) 275-9188 to become a sponsor. Visit www.fkintb.com for additional information.