By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

East St. John’s Jamaan Kenner qualified for this Saturday’s State Track and Field Championships at LSU at last Saturday’s Region II-5A track meet in Baton Rouge.

Kenner finished third in the boys’ high jump with a leap of 6’3. All top three finishers at the regional meet move on to the state competition.

East Ascension’s Chris Thompson  took the high jump event with a jump of 6’5, a feat that East St. John boys’ track Coach Eleno Rodriguez says he believes Kenner can attain this Saturday.

“His technique must be near perfect to do it,” said Rodriguez. “But I’m very optimistic he can get there. He has it in him.”

There were no qualifiers among the East St. John girls for state. The closest contender was Jacobi Wilson, ho finished fourth in the 100, 200 and 400 meters.

“This was such a competitive, tough region,” said ESJ girls’ track Coach Tiffany Wilson. “The best of the best were competing. Just for her to finish fourth in all three events was a great accomplishment.”

Destrehan’s Brian Blackwell took first place in the boys’ 300 meter hurdles with a time of 39.73, and will be joining Kenner at LSU this weekend.

The Hahnville girls will have representation in seven events at the state meet. Princetta Cummings leads the way after winning the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 15.15.

Joining her will be Rickia Preston (2nd, shotput, 38-6); Katona James (3rd, javelin, 114-10); Susan Naquin (3rd, pole vault, 9-3); Kiera Davis (2nd, discus, 114-0); and the 400 and 800 meter relay teams (each 2nd).

The Lady Tigers finished fourth at the meet with 59 points. Fontainebleau took first with a score of 100. ESJ took 13th place.

Among boys, Destrehan took 13th, ESJ 14th, and Hahnville 17th.