By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LUTCHER – As West St. John traveled to compete at the Lutcher Derbingny Relays on Wednesday, Martin Sylvain liked what he heard on the team bus.

His athletes weren’t just talking about putting on a good showing, as they had in their previous meets this season against upper-classification teams. They wanted to win, but what impressed Sylvain was their belief that they could.

“They were talking to one another, saying, ‘We can win this thing. Let’s go win this today,’” said Sylvain. “As a coach, you love hearing that.”

It came to fruition, as the Ram boys captured the meet title at LHS.

Damon Scott earned field MVP honors by winning the long jump (22-3) and triple jump (43-0) while placing third in the high jump.

“He expects to win and we expect him to win,” said Sylvain. “It’s just what he’s established for himself.”

Scott wasn’t the team’s only first place finisher, as Demiere Gordon took first place in the discus with a throw of 132-0.

The boys 4×2 relay team (consisting of Kenneth Dabney, Corey Warmington, Scott and Ravone Owens) took second place in the 4×2 relay with a time of 1:32. The same group nailed down second place in the 4×2 event (3:36).

Blandy Young finished third in the 300 meter hurdles.

Only a few Lady Rams made the trip — the team was scheduled to run again on Friday, but Ambria Major and Arnelle Jack each made an impact. Jack captured first place in the 100 meter hurdle event, while Major placed third in the triple jump.

“I just thank God for blessing me with some tremendous student-athletes who are willing to commit,” said Sylvain. “I’ve seen this team get better and better every week, so I can’t say it shocks me at all.”