BY RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

East St. John’s Jacobi Wilson and Patrick Lewis highlighted a group of strong Wildcat individual performers, while Dutchtown reigned supreme as a team on Wednesday at the District 6-5A district track and field meet at Hahnville.

Wilson captured her fourth girls track meet MVP this season for her performance. She was named Outstanding Track Performer after finishing first in the 400 (58.42) and second in the 100 (12.63) and 200 (25.59).

“I have to admit, I never expected it,” said Wilson. “I did expect to come out and have a really strong year, but to win MVP at four meets…this one was most special because it was the one to qualify to go to the regional. There were no more maybes after this.”

Lewis, meanwhile, took two first place finishes in the boys field. His shot put of 50-4 topped all contenders, and his discus throw of 147-4 was almost eight feet better than any other throw.

“Every meet, he’s doing better and better,” said ESJ boys coach Eleno Rodriguez. “He’s got the confidence, and that brings out this kind of performance.”

Dutchtown’s boys and girls swept the team district titles. The Griffin boys squeaked past second place St. Amant 134-127, while the girls nearly doubled up its closest competition, outpacing Hahnville 205.5-111.

Quinton Johnson was a third first place finisher. His time of 50.24 topped everyone in the boys 400. He also qualified for Thursday’s Class 5A regional with fourth place finishes in the 100 and 200.

“He did well in everything. Not as well in the 200 or 100, and I’m not sure why. But in the four-by-two and the 400 he was extremely strong. Sometimes, he just takes it to another level, he pulls away from the field, and it’s amazing to watch.”

On the girls side, Wilson won’t be going to the regional alone, as other Ladycats made the top four requirement to qualify. Dynekia Sanders was fourth in the long jump at 34-8. Deznee Wilson took third in the 200 (26.83). And the 400 and 800 meter girls relay teams will go, highlighted by the first place 800 meter squad (Wilson, Wilson, Darichelle Sampson and Sanders).

Among boys, Alex Singleton (third, shot put, 48-3) and Torri Zeno (third 100, 11.23) and all three relay teams also qualified.

Destrehan’s Henry Lenox took first place in both the boys 100 (11.17) and 200 (22.32). Brian Blackwell took first in the 300-meter hurdles (40.00) for the Wildcats.

Hahnville had two shining stars among girls. Rickia Preston finished first in the shot put (39-0) and Princetta Cummings captured first in the 100 meter hurdles (15.23).