LUTCHER, LA – Students from the parish’s seven elementary schools competed in vigorous test of speed, endurance and skill in Friday’s annual St. James Parish Elementary Physical Fitness Meet, held at Lutcher High School.

Winners of the meet have qualified to compete in the Louisiana Schools Elementary Fitness Meet to be held in Baton Rouge on April 26 at the LSU Field House.

Students competed in seven events including the 50-yard dash, the 600-yard dash, long jump, pull-ups, curl-ups, sit and reach and the shuttle run, earning placement points for a cumulative score.

Sully Laiche of Paulina Elementary School claimed first place in the boys division followed by Darvel Johnson of Lutcher Elementary. Gavin Englade also of PES, placed third and will be an alternate for the statewide meet.

PES had Kathryn Matherne and Avarie Louque take first and second place, respectively in the girls division. Haley Defresne of Gramercy Elementary School earned a third place finish and will serve as an alternate as well.