By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RACELAND – The East St. John Ladycats track team put on one of its strongest performances of the season at last week’s Central Lafourche meet, nailing down second place behind a dominant performance in relays and some strong individual efforts.

The Wildcats’ 4×1 and 4×4 relay teams each captured first place in their events, and the 4×2 team finished second. The 4×1 team, consisting of Deznee Wilson, Dynekia Sanders, Darichelle Sampson and Journae King posted a winning time of 49.31. The 4×4 squad (Wilson, Sanders, Sampson and Darilynn Sampson) finished at a mark of 4:18.37. The 4×2 squad (same as the 4×1 squad) posted a time of 1:45.63.

“I’m really happy with the chemistry the girls have with each other,” said ESJ girls track coach Reinda Rousseau. “It’s why they’re able to be so successful. They trust each other, they know each girl won’t drop the baton, they know how to mesh together. I’m very happy with them.”

Wilson also continued her strong individual running this season, finishing first in the 200-meter event with a time of 25.8.

“She’s been so focused this season. It’s all the difference from last year,” said Rousseau. “She’s been willing to learn, to tweak little things, and it’s helped her improve.”

Sanders placed second in the triple jump (34-5.5). Darilynn Sampson finished third in the 800 (2:47.25). And Journae King took third place in a pair of events, the 100-meter (13.16) and the long jump (16-7).

(King) was awesome. This is just her second year running, but she’s just a great athlete,” said Rousseau. “No matter what event I put her in, no complaints, she’s willing to do it. She’s a strong all-around athlete.”

Assumption won the meet with 97 total points. East St. John posted 68 to notch second.

The Wildcat boys finished third at the event. They too were exceptional in the relay events, taking two first place finishes and one second place.

The 4×1 team (Quinton Johnson, DeChris Strong, Floyd Raven and Reynaldo Young) won their event with a time of 42.7. A time of 1:28.86 was enough to garner a win for the 4×2 team (Johnson, Strong, Raven and Brandon Mitchell). The 4×4 team (Alonzo Martin, Mitchell, Corian Johnson and Dustin Dunn) finished second, posting a time of 3:33.82.

The Wildcats had two first place finishers in Brandon Mitchell and DeChris Strong. Mitchell won the 400 meter event (52.05). Strong took first place in the 200 (22.08).

“DeChris had a big night,” said ESJ boys coach Eleno Rodriguez. “I was very happy to see that kind of performance from him in the 200 and on the relay teams. Guys will see that and want to step up, so it’s a very good thing for us.”

Johnson captured second place in the 200 (22.41). Baishawn Pratt’s time of 4:51 netted him second place in the 1600, while his time of 2:07.40 got him third in the 800.

“I was very happy. We weren’t at full strength,” said Rodriguez. “We still performed well. I feel we’ll make a lot of noise this year. I have great expectations for these guys.”