8 Ascension students compete at La. Hershey

Eight Ascension Parish students competed in the Louisiana Hershey Track and Field Championships on June 25 in Lafayette.

Ascension Parish Recreation Department hosted 22 athletes in the track and field program, Ajia Mitchell, Ascension Parish Recreation program coordinator, said.

Meghan Joshua, of Prairieville, won her age division in the 50-meter dash and Thomas Daigle, of Donaldsonville, won first place in the 800-meter run, she said.

Placing in their individual meets were Michael Harris, Prairieville, softball throw, 50-meter dash and 100-meter dash; Tia Richard, Donaldsonville, softball throw and 100-meter dash; Jase Williams, Donaldsonville, standing long jump, 50-meter dash and 100-meter dash; and Davon Wright, Donaldsonville, softball throw and standing long jump.

Initiated as a playground track and field program in 1975 in Charleston, W.V., by Dr. Donald P. Cohen, Hershey’s Youth Program has become the largest youth sports program of its kind in North America, according to the program’s website. Louisiana adopted the program shortly after it became a national program in 1977.

For information on the local program, call Mitchell at [phone].