Lightning fast
Dutchtown, BRHS cruise to 5A titles
“I’m very thrilled. Everybody did their part. This thing is about who scores the most points. So we spread some things out and changed up some relays.” Zach Winfield, Baton Rouge High coach
Rain and lightning delayed the final events of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association/State Farm State Outdoor Track and Field Meet.
By that time, lightning had already struck the Class 5A competition, courtesy of Dutchtown High and Baton Rouge Magnet High.
The two local teams were closing in on 5A team titles as the LHSAA’s three-day track championships came to a close at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium. The meet was completed late Saturday after a weather delay of more than 90 minutes.
Dutchtown ran away with its first state track title by scoring 86 points, followed by District 5-5A rival Catholic High (61), Shreveport’s C.E. Byrd (41) and another local team, Zachary High (40).
“We thought if we came in here and did the things we were supposed to do the points would take care of themselves,” Dutchtown coach John Talley said. “And we came in here and exceeded that. It was a great day for the Griffins.”
With three-event winner Mikiah Brisco leading the way, BRHS tallied 72 points to win its fourth straight state title. Captain Shreve (36), Mandeville (32) and Ruston (28) followed.
“I’m very thrilled,” BRHS coach Zach Winfield said. “Everybody did their part. This thing is about who scores the most points. So we spread some things out and changed up some relays.
“Mikiah’s effort was outstanding. She ran very fast times against stiff competition. The names may change, but we have a program. And it was a team effort.”
Brisco was voted the Outstanding Performer among the 5A girls, while Archbishop Rummel’s Cyril Grayson, a double winner, was selected as the Outstanding Performer for the boys.
Dutchtown started its drive to the 5A boys title early with Terry Hughes helping lead the way.
Hughes started his day with a second-place finish in the javelin (182 feet, 0 inches). Another local competitor, Zachary’s Mason Pace, won it in 188-3. He also took a second in the shot put (53-7¾) with teammate David Elias winning in 54-4½.
Hughes won the discus (152-11) as local competitors swept the top three spots. St. Amant’s Nicholas Bickham was second (147-1), followed by Catholic’s Ross Quinlan (140-1).
The Griffins won the 4x200-meter relay in 1:25.40, the third fastest time in the nation. Cory McBride ran the anchor leg on the relay and then placed second in the 100 meters, losing to Byrd’s Hanoj Carter 10.662 to 10.670. McBride was third in the 200 (21.73).
“I thought I could have done better,” McBride said. “But as long as the team wins, it’s all good.”
Next came a second-place finish in the 4x100 relay (41.29), just off the winning mark of Byrd (41.08). Through 14 events, Dutchtown held a commanding 70-37 lead over Catholic. Zachary was in third with 32 points. The Griffins also got a victory from Shelby Christy, who won the triple jump in 49-1¾.
Catholic claimed two early victories, including one 5A meet record on the track. The Bears’ Cole Stafford won the 1,600 meters in a record time of 4 minutes, 13.87. Stafford later won the 3,200 in 9:20.07. Catholic’s Ken Ward won the 110 hurdles (14.16). Catholic also took third in the 4x400 relay (3:19.48).
Rummel’s Grayson won the 800 (1:53.53) and the 400 (47.68) to net the top performer honors for the boys.
Brisco set the pace for BRHS. She won the 100 hurdles in 14.62 seconds and then won the 100 meters in 11.71, recording the nation’s seventh fastest time.
The 100 meters was also notable because local competitors swept the top three spots with Dutchtown’s Casey Richardson (second, 12.07) and Scotlandville’s Takyra Beverly (third, 12.15) finishing next.
Brisco’s most impressive race may have been a relay. She ran the anchor leg and raced past several teams in the final 10 yards to give the Bulldogs the victory in 47.79. Brisco capped her night by winning the 200 in 24.26.
The Bulldogs also got a first-place finish from Kayla Thompson in the 400 (57.02). BRHS’ Meri Hebert took third in the 800 (2:21.16).
By the time 13 of the 18 events were completed, BRHS had 52 points, 22 more than second-place Captain Shreve. The Bulldogs capped their effort by winning the 4x400 relay in 3:57.02.
A local competitor won the first 5A girls field event. Woodlawn’s Lashae Blunt took first in the shot put in 39-7 ½. Blunt later took second in the discus (110-3) to another local competitor, St. Amant’s Holly Lebeau (114-9). St. Amant had another girls champion in Destiny Bourgeois, the triple jump winner in 37-3.
Zachary’s Kenyetta Franklin won the 300 hurdles (44.20 seconds), while Scotlandville’s D’Lacia McKinley won the long jump (18-9 ½).
Zachary’s Christian Chapman (second, 300 hurdles, 38.50; and third, 110 hurdles, 14.73) was another top three finisher on the boys side. The Broncos were second in the 4x400 relay (3:19.06) The Dutchtown girls took second in the 4x200 relay (1:41.88).
Ponchatoula’s Steven Barze won the high jump (6-8), took second in the long jump (23-8) and was third in the triple jump (46-0½).