By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

East St. John, Destrehan and Hahnville all competed Tuesday at the District 6-5A track and field championship meet. But Dutchtown proved to be more than a worthy host.

The Griffins captured the boys and girls championships at the event, which took place at Dutchtown high. The boys led the field with 159 points, while the girls tallied 221.

The Hahnville girls’ string of three-consecutive titles was snapped in the process. They finished second, with 153 points. East St. John finished fifth, and Destrehan finished sixth.

Among the boys’ teams, Hahnville finished third with 83 points. East St. John finished sixth.

A number of Destrehan athletes took first place finishes at the event. Henry Lenoix took first in the 100 meters with a time of 10.94, and in the 200 (22.28). Eric Johnson was the top runner in the 400 meters with a time of 51.98. Bryan Blackwell’s time of 41:01 was tops in the 110 meter hurdles.

Hahnville was well represented by Jacob Brooks, who took first in the pole vault (11-6). Hahnville also captured the 1600 meter relay with a time of 3:29.21. Members were Bryce Deruise, Antoine Evans, Vanderbil Jackson and Denzell Washington.

East St. John’s boys did not take a first place winner, but a number of Wildcats qualified for the regionals next week at Catholic Pointe Coupee. The top Wildcat finishers were Patrick Lewis (2nd, shot put, 50-6) and Alex Singleton (2nd, Javelin, 159-0).

Among the girls, Hahnville shined with four first place finishers. They included Princetta Cummings (100 meter hurdles, 15.48); Precious Singleton (800 meters, 2:29:08; Susan Naquin (pole vault, 8-6); and Rickia Preston (shot put, 37-4).

East St. John’s Jacobi Wilson was the highest finisher for the Wildcats, taking second in the 400 (59.20), to go along with a third place finish in the 100 (12.59) and a fourth in the 200 (26.92).

ESJ girls’ track Coach Tiffany Wilson said that she felt her team made a good accounting of themselves, especially considering its lack of numbers.

“I thought our girls did really well. Considering how few girls we have compared to some teams with 25 or more, we made a good showing.”

Wilson was also pleased with the running of her three relay teams, all of which qualified for the regionals next week.

“They met my expectations. We’re set for next week,” she said.

The qualifying 4×100 relay team includes Wilson, Lashonte Smith, Dynekia Sanders and Darichelle Sampson. The 4×200 team included Smith, Sanders, Sampson and Terrian Daniels. And the 4×400 team included Sampson, Sanders, Smith and Daniels.

Other East St. John boys’ qualifiers for the regionals next week included Jamaan Kenner (2nd, high jump, 6-2) Quinton Johnson (3rd, 100 meters, 11.14 and 4th, 200 meters, 22.82.)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Last week, Jacobi Wilson finished first place in the 400 meters at the Destrehan Wildcat relays, not 2nd as was printed.