Ruston's Relays Come Through To Power 5A Boys Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Like many high schools across the country, after a lost season due to the pandemic, the return to a championship-type postseason this spring have brought a sense of normalcy, and also some tremendous performances. The Louisiana High School State Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships, May 6-8 at LSU's Bernie Moore Track Stadium were no exception.

5A-4A Saturday

It came down to the end, but the Ruston boys can call themselves Class state champions. Ruston scored 82.50 points to win the 5A title and pull away from runner-up Zachary 67 points.  

Ruston’s 4x800 relay team of Caleb Babineaux, Bryar Madden, Josiah Whitaker and Dyllon Nimmers set a state meet record, clocking 7:56.44, beating the 2019 record of 7:59.16. The 4x400 Ruston relay team finished the meet with a second-place finish, clocking 3:19.54. 

Zachary’s Chris Hilton won the high jump (6-7.50) and 400 (47.50).

The St. Joseph's Academy girls picked up a big 16 points in the 3,200 to separate themselves from Zachary and win the 5A team title. Sophie Martin led the way for St. Joseph’s winning the 3,200 (11:14.86) and 1,600 (5:08.30). In the field events, Central Lafource’s Ke'yona Gabriel won the triple jump with a mark of 40-3.50, just missing out on the overall state record of 40-8.50 from 1997. Gabriel also won the long jump (18-6.50).

The Vanderbilt girls track team showed its strength on the track and in the field scoring 89 points to win the 4A team championship. Nationally-ranked pole vaulter Emily Prentice led the way as she cleared 13-6.25 to claim the title and break the previous meet record from 2008 of 13-6. Prentice also won the triple jump (37-1.25) and finished fourth in the long jump. The Vanderbilt 4x800 relay team of Logan Hamilton, Brynn Kelso, Ella Chesnut and Laura Seibert ran to a classification record time of 9:50.63, while Kelso won the 800 (2:21.26), Chesnut won the 1,600 (5:18.41) and 3,200 (11:24.78).

The 4A boys title was claimed by Westgate as they picked up points in the relays, sprints and distance events, to beat out Warren Easton (51 points). 

The Belle Chasse team of Louden Boudreaux, Jack Howell, Landin Madere and Brady Palmer broke a classification record in the 4x800 (8:05.28). Boudreaux also won the 1,600 (4:30.39) and 3,200 (9:54.24)

3A-2A Friday

It was a dominating performance at the 3A level on Friday. St. Louis’ Halyn Senegal led her team to a state championship as she ran to a state-record 400 meter title in 54.89. The previous record was 55.09, set in 2003. Senegal also ran on the winning 4x400 relay (3:59.04). 

Parkview Baptist’s Ariel Pedigo, who was named the 3A Outstanding Girls Performer, claimed four titles on the day. Pedigo, a senior, won the javelin (141-7), long jump (19 feet), 100 hurdles (14.64) and high jump (5-10), tying the meet record.

The boys team title saw a tie between Madison Prep and Lake Charles College Prep, each finishing with 60 points. On the track, Sumner’s Richard Lee won the 100 (10.71) and 400 (48.31), while teammate Dominic Haney swept the hurdles, winning the 110 (14.71) and 300 (38.88 ). In the distance events, E.D. White’s Braedon Marivin won the 1,600 (4:25.22) and 3,200 (9:36.22). 

The Episcopal boys and girls claimed the 2A crowns as Frances Oliver, a junior, put on a clinic in the jumps, winning the girls high (5-3.75), long (18-0.50) and triple (37-5) titles, and was part of the runner-up 4x400 relay (4:08.48). For the Episcopal boys, Ethan Hook swept the hurdles, winning the 110 (15.01) and 300 (40.02).

Class 1A, B & C Thursday

In the Class 1A, B, and C meet, conducted on Thursday, LSU football-commit Matthew Langlois, a senior at Catholic-Pointe Coupee, won the 1A boys 100-meter title in 10.79 and claimed the 200 in 22.33. 

Ascension Catholic’s Chase Walker claimed the 800, 1,600 and finished second in the 3,200 in 1A to guide his team to a second-place finish. 

In the field, East Iberville’s Genesis Jackson was impressive in the jumps, winning the girls 1A long jump (17-9 and the triple (38-4.75), helping her team to a runner-up finish. 

Ouachita Christian swept the boys and girls 1A titles.

Junior Brylen Tyler was a dominating force for JS Clark Academy as he led his team to a Class B title, winning the 100 (10.97), 200 (22.22) and was a part of the winning 4x200 (1:32.08) and 4x400 (3:35.54) relays.

In girls Class B, Svenya Stoyanoff, a junior from Christ Episcopal School helped lead her team a state title, winning the 1,600 (5:50.35), 3,200 (12:10.56) and placing second in the 800 (2:27.08). She was also part of the second-place 4x400 relay team (4:21.36).

In Class C action, the Hackberry boys (76 points) edged out Jehova-Jireh (71 points) for the championship. Hackberry senior Coleman McCready led the way, winning the discus (130-3) and shot put (42-11.50). The Reeves girls finished with 85 points to win the Class C crown. 

Team Champions

5A: Ruston boys 82.50 points; St. Joseph's Academy girls 84 points

4A: Westgate boys 61 points; Vanderbilt Catholic girls 89 points

3A: Lake Charles College Prep/Madison Prep boys  60 points; St. Louis girls 116 points    

2A: Episcopal boys 90 points; Episcopal girls 120 points

1A: Ouachita Christian boys 124 points; Ouachita Christian girls 80 points

B: JS Clark Leadership Academy boys 117 points; Christ Episcopal girls 78.50 points 

C: Hackberry boys 76 points; Reeves girls 85 points