By Josh Beavers
Izayla Harris is a name that has become synonymous with excellence in Louisiana high school athletics.
And now that she is set to continue her remarkable journey at Alcorn State University on a track scholarship, we thought it appropriate to look back on what she accomplished as a Panther.
Despite her quiet and humble demeanor, Harris’s achievements on the track have spoken volumes, earning her a place among the most decorated athletes in the state’s history.
Doyline High School’s Coach Michael Normand, who discovered Harris’s extraordinary talent in a seemingly ordinary 7th grade PE class, recalls the moment that set the stage for her storied career. “She had a good stride while running warm-up laps,” Normand said. “I took her outside to time her in the 400, and she ran a 1:03 with no training. I asked her if she wanted to run track, and I’ll never forget her eyes getting big as she asked, ‘Coach, you gonna let me run track?’ A legend was born that day.”
Since that fateful day, Harris has amassed an impressive list of accolades. She holds the Class B state records in the 100m, 200m, and 400m events, and despite losing her 8th and 9th grade years to COVID-related issues, she has continued to dominate the track. Remarkably, she won the state championship in the 400m as a 7th grader, setting the tone for her future successes.
Harris’s track record (pun intended) includes being a four-time state champion in the 400m, a three-time state champion in the 200m and 100m, a one-time state champion in the triple jump, and a one-time indoor state champion in the 60m. Additionally, she has been named the State MVP three times, solidifying her status as the most decorated female athlete in Doyline High School’s history.
Coach Normand praises Harris not only for her natural talent but also for her work ethic and competitive spirit. “She’s quiet and soft-spoken until the gun fires, and then that dawg in her comes out,” he said. “Not only does she have God-given ability, but she has that tenacity that coaches love to see in any athlete. She still has that 7th-grade giddiness when she accomplishes something amazing.”
Harris’s summer track coach, Mychal Word, has affectionately dubbed her “the queen from Doyline” since her early successes. As she prepares to take her talents to Alcorn State, the Doyline community watches with pride and anticipation, knowing that Harris’s story is far from over.
Though Harris herself declined to be a part of this story, preferring to let her achievements speak for themselves, her legacy at Doyline High School and within Louisiana high school sports will undoubtedly inspire future generations of athletes.
As she moves on to the next chapter at Alcorn State, there is little doubt that Izayla Harris will continue to reign supreme on the track, embodying the spirit and determination that have made her a true queen from Doyline.