By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

THIBODAUX – The West St. John boys track and field team entered this season with three goals in mind: win district, win the regional, and finally, win state.

Two out of those three are secured.

For the first time since 2007 the Ram boys walked away with the Class 1A Region III crown, scoring 908 total points to beat out second place White Castle (85) and third place Southern Lab (81).

WSJ and White Castle tied last week to split the district 8-1A championship.

“It’s huge for us. I told the kids beforehand that the team that wins this region usually ends up winning state,” said West St. John coach Martin Sylvain. “The last time we took it, we ended up as state runner-up. It’s a huge lift.”

The Ram girls scored 74 points to place third in the region behind champion Country Day (109) and St. Martin’s (83).

The Rams wrapped up the title with a strong performance in the 400, as Corey Warmington took second (52.22) and Titus Barre took third (53.02).

Just as he was in district, Damon Scott was named the boys field MVP. He won three events, taking the crown in the triple jump (44-03), the high jump (6-03) and the long jump (21-09).

“I told him we needed 30 points out of him, and he rose to the challenge,” said Sylvain. “He’s been very consistent all season long.”

Ladarius Lewis (42.37) was second in the 300-meter hurdles. Ravane Owens placed third in the 200 meters.

In the field, Blake Carter earned points, placing second in the shot put (47-09).

Blandy Young earned third place honors in the triple jump (39-07.50).

The Rams also won the 4×100 (Owens, Warmington, Chris Gauthier, Kenneth Dabney, 43.61).

Its 4×400 team (Gauthier, Blandy Young, Titus Barre and Denzel Pierre) placed third (3.39.82).

“It’s that 40-40 rule, and we lived up to it Tuesday,” said Sylvain. “Give me 40 points on the track and 40 points in the field, and we’ll win it. If we can do that at state, then we’ll win state.”

For the girls, Kyla Morris came up big, winning the 300-meter hurdles (49.80) and the shot put (32-03).

Fellow senior Ambria Major took the triple jump title (35-11.50) and second place in the long jump (16-11.25).

The Lady Ram 4×100 relay team (Janade Williams, Major, Morris, Arnelle Jack) finished first (52.88) and the 4×400 (Morris, Janeeka Jones, Tian Janae Summers, Latisha Jupiter) squad took third (4:44.79).

“When you hear that ‘Oooh’ sound from the crowd, you know you’re running,” said WSJ girls coach Stacy Bradford of his 4×100 team. “The 4×4 team was Kyla and our eighth and 10th graders, some young girls with a lot of heart.”

“We knew we didn’t have numbers going in. But we have eight girls going to state. For those eight to come up with a third place finish was a real strong result.”