By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

EDGARD – West St. John athletes will be representing their school in 14 different events next week at the Class 1A state track and field championship next week at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium after qualifying in their respective events at the Region 3-1A championship.

“It’s a great feeling to know that we’re bringing so many to state,” said West St. John girls track and field coach Nelann Taylor. “They deserve this. I didn’t think we’d have quite this many, but to have so many individuals qualify and to have all three relay teams go …

“Maybe those pre-meet speeches I’ve been giving are paying off,” she said with a laugh.

White Castle won the boys regional, besting 13 other teams. West St. John finished ninth. Kentwood captured the girls’ regional, while the Lady Rams finished fifth.

Taj Howard and Jennika Jones finished second and third in the javelin throw, respectively, with throws of 103 and 95-05. Ebony Brown took second in the shot put with a throw of 30-07.50.

Arnelle Jack took second place in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 16.72. She also finished fourth in the triple jump (30-03)

All three Lady Ram relay teams will be headed to LSU. The 4×200 team (Elisha Grows, Jack, Latisha Jupiter and Jones) finished third, running a 2:04.25. The 4×100 team, comprised of the same four, finished third as well with a time of 55.75.

The 4×400 girls relay team of Joy Triche, Candace Roussell, Deja Feist and Jennika Jones finished with a time of 5:10.97.

Ronnie Feist took second in the shot put with a throw of 47-03. Steven Brignac will also be advancing to state, finishing fourth (38-11). LaDarius Lewis will go to state in two events, the high jump (third, 6-02) and the 300-meter hurdles (fourth, 42.85).

Jeremy Jackson will advance in the 200, finishing third with a time of 23.13.