Catholic Comes Up Clutch In Boys 4x400 Relay To Win 5A Boys Title By One Point; William Decuir Edges Brady Mullen In 1,600; Ferzell Shepard Jumps US#1 51-6.50; Kennedi Burks, Reese Trahan Lead Barbe Girls; Marley Richards Wins Four Events

By Mary Albl of Dyestat

It took every last performance and point from the Catholic High boys track team to firmly secure the 5A state title. Saturday, at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium, the Catholic 4x400 relay team won the race in 3:18.21 to score 10 points and win the state title with 61 points. Jesuit was runner-up with 60 points.  

Catholic was led by Robert Conley’s first place and US#5 throw in the javelin of 209-5. Catholic sophomore William Decuir edged out Jesuit's Brady Mullen, 4:12.62 to 4:12.87 to win the 1,600.

Also highlighting the field events was Scotlandville’s Ferzell Shepard, who triple jumped a US#1 with 51-6.50. He also won the long jump with 24-5.

Slidell senior Gianni Wiltz won the high jump (6-9.50) and was second in the long and triple jump. 

In 5A girls action, Barbe scored 71 points to easily win the state title. Kenndedi Burks won the 400 (53.82) and was the anchor on the winning 4x400 (3:47.63). Teammate and fellow senior Reese Trahan won the 300 hurdles (42.46) and was part of the winning 4x400 and fifth-place 4x200 relays.

Outside of Barbe, Destrehan’s Marley Richard was the star of the day for the girls, winning the 100 (11.53), 200 (23.85), the long jump (20-2.50) and triple jump (38-0.25). Her mark in the long jump was a class record and US#16. 

The Brusly boys claimed the 4A title with 44 points. The team was led by Patrick Gales’ victories in the 100 (10.56) and 200 (21.44). He also ran anchor on the winning 4x200 relay (1:28.79).

In Class 4A girls action, West Feliciana and The Willow School tied for the girls title with 51 points apiece.

The Willow School was led by an impressive performance from seventh grader Emma Aldana, who won the 800 (2:18.27), 1,600 (5:03.94) and 3,200 (11:12.42)

In the sprints, West Feliciana senior Tristen Harris ran to victories in the 100 (11.55) and 200 (24.78) and was part of the winning 4x200 relay (1:42.43). Harris also won the long jump (19-6). 

Broadmoor’s Taylor Yankton broke a meet record in the 300 hurdles (42.64). 

3A and 2A - Friday, May 9

In boys 3A action, Lake Charles College Prep scored 65 points to win the state title. The 4x400 relay team secured the title with a 3:21.90 first-place finish to hold off runner-up Parkview Baptist (60 points). 

Individually, Parkview Baptist senior Aiden Monistere, an Iowa State commit, was the star of the day, earning Outstanding Perfumer award with his wins in the 800 (1:56.61), 1,600 (4:17.68), a class record, and the 3,200 (9:45.93). He was also the anchor of the first-place 4x800 relay (8:20.79). 

The Parkview Baptist girls scored 88 points led by sophomore standout Lucy Cramer, who won the 800 (2:17.27), 1,600 (5:02.19) and 3,200 (11:08.60) and was the anchor on a record-setting 4x800 relay (9:37.21).

In the relays, St. Louis High broke a meet record in the 4x200, clocking 1:39.75.

The Episcopal boys and girls swept the 2A titles. The boys scored 60 points to win the title with just one first-place finish - the 4x800 relay (8:20.97). Wynne Turner was second in both the 110 and 300 hurdles for Episcopal. 

In the distance events, Calvary Baptist’s Jackson Burney won the 800 in a meet record time of 1:51.14, good for US#25. 

The Episcopal girls used a strong effort in the distance events to win the title, with 44 of their 70 points coming from the 800, 1,600, 3,200 and a first-place finish in the 4x800 (10:09.30). 

In the field, Mansfield senior Kaitlyn McDaniel broke a meet record in the discus with a mark of 131-7.

Classes C, B, & 1A - Thursday, May 8

The Southern University Lab boys team’s efforts in the 4x400 relay — a third-place finish — secured the program’s first 1A title since 2016. Southern Lab put up 55 points to hold off runner-up Highland Baptist (48 points). Southern Lab was led by sophomore Warren Gougisha, who cleared 6-8 to win the high jump title. He was also part of the final relay. 

Highland Baptist’s Tyler Blissett swept the distance events, winning the 800 (1:59.70), 1,600 (4:27.92) and 3,200 (9:48.80). 

The Jonesboro-Hodge girls won the 1A state title with 58 points with junior Ciara Gray leading the way with victories in the long jump (18-1.75), triple jump (39-6) and the 300 hurdles (44.32). The team also picked up third-place finishes in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays.

The Quitman boys held off Castor to win the Class B title with 72 points, Castor was runner-up with 67. Quitman’s Nathan Harvey won 110 hurdles (16.11), 300 hurdles (40.76) and was part of the winning 4x200 (1:34.01) and 4x400 (3:35.02) relays. 

Episcopal of Acadiana won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 events with senior Anderson Frank winning the 1,600 (4:25.91) and 3,200 (10:09.13). 

In girls Class B, Anacoco scored 73 points, while Bell City was a close second with 65 points. 

On the track, Bell City’s Azhia Stewart won the 100 (13.13), 200 (26.72) and ran on the winning 4x100 and 4x200. 

Hathaway’s Kaitlyn Sawyer won the 800 (2:21.60), 1,600 (5:14.46) and 3,200 (12:00.75).

Hackberry tallied 112 points to win the C crown. Freshman Devin Murphy won the 800 (2:13.21) and 3,200 (11:21.97). Hackberry also won the 4x400 relay. In the field, Hackberry senior Ely Walker won the discus and shot put titles. 

The Simpson girls won the 4x100 and 4x200 relays to score 83 points and secure the Class C crown. In the field, Simpson also picked up wins in the long, triple and high jump. 

Evans junior Reese Jean won the 800 meters (2:30.46), 1,,600 (5:29.15) and 3,200 (12:21.31).

TEAM CHAMPIONS

Class 5A - Catholic High (Baton Rouge) boys 61 points, Barbe girls 71 points - RESULTS

Class 4A - Brusly boys 44 points, West Feliciana & Willow School (tied) 51 points - RESULTS

Class 3A -Lake Charles College Prep boys 65 points, Parkview Baptist girls 88 points  - RESULTS

Class 2A - Episcopal boys 60 points, Episcopal girls 71 points - RESULTS

Class 1A - South University Lab boys 55 points; Jonesboro-Hodge girls 58 points - RESULTS

Class B - Quitman boys 72 points, Midland girls 64 points - RESULTS

Class C - Hackberry boys 112 points, Simpson girls 83 points - RESULTS