By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

When it comes to track and field, it’s a game of inches and milli-seconds.

Luther Ambrose, of St. James figured that out on the biggest stage last Friday at the 2A 100 meter finals race where he edged out John Curtis all-star athlete and USC commitment Joe McKnight by not much more than a chest hair.

Though both of their times were rounded up to 10.59 by meet officials, a photo finish decided the race where Ambrose torso made all the difference. Ambrose also competed in the triple jump, finishing eighth.

Another big winner in this weekend’s meet was Hahnville’s Kayla Thomas, Lutcher’s Fred Thomas and West St. John’s Ramos Mitchell, who each brought home a state title. Kayla Thomas took first in the 100 meter hurdle finals with a time of 15.18. Fred Thomas won it all in the 400 meters in the 3A finals Saturday, finishing in 48.87. He also led off the 1600 meter relay squad that won the finals, pairing up with Khymest Williams, Jarron Jackson and Ravon Jenkins.

Mitchell, meanwhile, led West St. John with a first place finish Friday in the Class 1A 300 meter hurdles after running a 40.90. He also led off a state champion 1600 meter squad as he joined with Donald Brown, Gary Gordon and Terrance Nathan. Brown was also a member of the 400 meter relay squad that finished second and he also earned a third place finish in the javelin.

Leading Riverside was Jesse LeBlanc once again as he placed in the top ten in the state in all four of his events. LeBlanc took two third place finishes, in the 1600 and 800 meter races. He finished eighth in both the javelin and the 3200 meters.

Reyna Lubin headed up St. Charles competitors with a sixth place finish in the 400 meters.

In Class C, Reserve Christian’s Ashley Wilking placed in the top five for three different events, putting up a second place, in the 100 meters, a third, in the triple jump, and a fifth in the 100 meter hurdles. For the boys side, Damond Peters also took home three medals after he took third in both the 3200 meters and the 1600 meters to go with a fifth in the 400.

Local state runners-up included Destrehan’s Tim Molten (long jump) and Lutcher’s Khymest Williams (200 meters).

Local finishers in state track & field meet

Class 5A

(HHS) Kayla Thomas – state champion in girls 100 meter hurdles w/ time of 15.18

(DHS) Tim Molten – second in boys long jump w/ leap of 24-2.75

(ESJ) Jamman Kenner – fourth in boys high jump w/ leap of 6-3

(HHS) Keira Davis – fourth in girls discus w/ throw of 112-9

(HHS) Taneisha Steib – fourth in girls long jump w/ leap of 18-2.75

(HHS) Edward Green – fifth in boys 400 meters w/ time of 50-87

(ESJ) Darielle Sanders – sixth in girls triple jump w/ leap of 36-11

(HHS) Constance Mitchell – sixth in girls 100 meters w/ time of 12.71

(ESJ) Shannon Grover – sixth in boys 200 meters w/ time of 22.17

(HHS) Danielle Douglas – sixth in girls 400 meters w/ time of 1:00.28

(ESJ) 800 meter boys relay team finished third w/ time of 1:28.76

(ESJ) 400 meter boys relay team finished fifth w/ time of 42.31

(ESJ) 1600 meter boys relay team finished fifth w/ time of 3:24.49

Class 3A

(LHS) Fred Thomas – state champion in boys 400 meters w/ time of 48.87

(LHS) Kymest Williams – second in boys 200 meters w/ time of 21.92

(LHS) Jarron Jackson – fourth in boys 400 meters w/ time of 48.77

(LHS) Chaddrick Adams – fourth in boys 110 meter hurdles w/ time of 15.28

(LHS) 1600 meter relay boys squad took state championship w/ time of 3:19.88 Team members: Fred Thomas, Khymest Williams, Jarron Jackson and Ravon Jenkins

Class 2A

(SJ) Luther Ambrose – first in boys 100 meters w/ time of 10.59, eighth in triple jump w/ leap of 43-03.75

(RA) Jesse LeBlanc – third in boys 1600 meters w/ time of 4:42.45, third in 800 meters w/ time of 2:03.98, eighth in javelin w/ throw of 145-00, eighth in 3200 meters w/ time of 11:18.17

(RA) Sarah Levin – fourth in girls javelin w/ throw of 109-10

(SCC) Reyna Lubin – sixth in girls 400 meters w/ time of 103.34

(RA) Jenny LeBlanc – seventh in girls 300 meter hurdles w/ time of 51.35(RA) Marci Millet – eighth in girls discus w/ toss of 78-03

(SJ) 400 meter relay boys squad took third w/ time of 43.59 Team members: Kaylon Celestine, Jordan Landry, Demel Dumas and Luther Ambrose

Class 1A

(WSJ) Ramos Mitchell – state champion in boys 300 meter hurdles w/ time of 40.90

(WSJ) Donald Brown – third in boys javelin w/ throw of 163-8

(WSJ) Trannell Mitchell – fourth place in girls triple jump w/ leap of 33-1

(WSJ) Terrance Nathan – fifth in boys 400 meters w/ time of 51.60

(WSJ) Destani Comminie – fifth place in girls javelin w/ throw of 96-6

(WSJ) Blake Comminie – sixth in boys discus w/ throw of 129-6

(WSJ) 400 meter relay boys squad took second w/ time of 44.17 Team members: Melvin Edgar, Donald Brown, Deron Bartholomew and Gary Gordon

(WSJ) 1600 meter relay boys squad won state title w/ time of 3:29.30 Team members: Ramos Mitchell, Donald Brown, Gary Gordon and Terrance Nathan

(WSJ) 400 meter relay girls squad took sixth w/ time of 52.48 Team members: Alicia Major, Ambria Major, Keyanna Grows and Kyla Morris

Class C

(RCS) Ashley Wilking – second in girls 100 meters hurdles w/ time of 18.36, third in triple jump w/ leap of 29-09.25, fifth in 100 meter hurdles w/ time of 57.93

(RCS) Justin Bernard – third place in boys 1600 meters w/ time of 5:03.43, fifth in 400 meters w/ time of 55.81, third in 3200 meters w/ time of 11:35.60

(RCS) Alayna Bernard – fifth in girls 1600 meters w/ time of 7:05.07

(RCS) Raquel Scott – fifth in girls 100 meter hurdles w/ time of 20.55, sixth in 100 meter hurdles w/ time of 57.95

(RCS) Rebecca Simon – sixth in girls 100 meters w/ time of 14.08, sixth in 200 meters w/ time of 30.18

(RCS) Damond Peters – seventh in boys 100 meters w/ time of 12.14

(RCS) 800 meter relay boys squad placed sixth w/ time of 1:45.22 Team members: Chadd Simmons, Damond Peters, Aaron Brinkman and Emile Lee

(RCS) 1600 meter relay girls squad placed sixth w/ time of 5:17.36 Team members: Rosie Bond, Ambrie Lee, Rebecca Simon and Alayna Bernard