Western Branch Sends Coach Touks Out in Style


The Bruins of Western Branch made it one for the history books and sent their head coach, Claude Toukene, or 'King Touks' to some, out in style.

They tallied up five national titles and numerous All-American finishes to close out his coaching career with a huge weekend. 

The highlight of the weekend had to have been the girls' shuttle hurdle relay national record. Though they broke their own record, it was a sweet redemption from indoors. 

Western Branch won the Mixed 4x4, Girls 4x4, Girls Shuttle Hurdle Relay, Girls Swedish Medley Relay and Girls 4x1. They finished national runners-up in the Boys Swedish Medley, Boys Shuttle Hurdle Relay, and Mixed 4x4. They also finished third in the boys' 4x4 relay.

Individually Shadajah Ballard finished 3rd in the 100H and Adriana Shockley finished national runner-up in the 400H. Jazmine Tilmon also took home gold in the EE 100H with her VA #3 all-time performance of 13.36. 

Coach Claude Toukene who never wants to take pictures with athletes, usually because he wants it to be about them and not him, uncharacteristically asked for a picture with all his athletes. After the photos were over he had to walk away due to tears of sadness from the realization that his high school coaching career was over.

Coach Touks isn't done coaching though. He will be starting a program at Bryant & Statton this fall where he hopes to continue in the business of improving lives and setting records.