By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

BOUTTE – East St. John’s track and field program is clicking on all cylinders – and at Hahnville Thursday, the Wildcats showcased that fact by banking one district championship and taking another runner up finish.

The ESJ girls won their first district championship in over a decade at the District 8-5A championship meet while the boys were edged, finishing as runner up to Hahnville, 162-161.

The top four finishers in every event qualified for regionals.

The victory for the ESJ girls meant a lot to its athletes and program, said coach Mark Creecy.

“It’s a big accomplishment for us,” he said. “We started up a little late. I didn’t get in there until January. But we were able to put everything together at the right time.”

On the track for the Ladycats, Ann Marie Jenkins took fourth in the 200 (27.77). Ra-Jane’ Morris took first in the 800 (2:43.97) and second in the 400 (1:00.88). Cecillia Woods finished first in the 1600 (6:27.82), second in the 800 (2:54.32) and second in the 3200 (15:29.59). Bishan Caston was first in the 3200 (15:18.89) and third in the 1600 (6:45.64). Ayonte Thomas was third in the 100 (16.85). Leiah Turner finished second in the 300 (51.58). The ESJ 4×200 relay team (Morris, Keyvin Parker, Ann Marie Jenkins and Taylor Duhe) took fourth (1:48.53). The 4x400relay team (Courtney Pierson, Duhe, Ariel Scioneaux and Turner) took second.

In the field events, Elizabeth Scioneaux finished second in the long jump (16-06) and third in the triple jump (33-10). Ayonte Thomas took second in the triple jump (35-05). Regina Rixner finished second in the shot put (30-05.75). Alaya Thompson took fourth in the shotput (29-03.00). Dominique Gray finished third in the discus (82-09.50). Sheala Millet finished third in the javelin (90-08).

Creecy said he thinks the best is yet to come. Much of the core of this year’s team will return next year.

Of course, this year’s team still has some unfinished business. The team suffered disappointment in the 4×100 relay event when ESJ was disqualified for a lane violation. Creecy believed that team had a very good chance to get to state.

But plenty of other Ladycats are headed to regionals with a chance to advance again.

“For us, regionals aren’t necessarily about winning the event, but getting as many people to place and move on to state as we can,” he said.

Darius Lipps led the Wildcat boys on the track side of things. He finished first in the 100 (11.34) and second in the 200 (22.94) while running a leg for each of ESJ’s two first place relay teams.

The Wildcat boys nearly swept the relay competitions. The 4×100 (Xavier Lewis, Lipps, Davis, Jacob McNeal, 43.54) and the 4×200 relay teams (same quartet, 1:30.06) each took first place finishes. The 4×400 team (Davis, Darren Darensburg, Albert and Stirgus) finished second to Higgins (3:28.17) with a time of 3:29.09.

“I think the Sugar Bowl meet was a wake up call for us,” said Lipps. “We did alright in the individual events, but not as much in the relays. Westarted going harder in practice and improved our time.”

Leonard Davis took second in the 400 (50.84). Jevaughn Albert took first in the 800 (2:02.07), first in the 300 meter hurdles (41.45) and fourth in the 110 meter hurdles (16.13). Donald Stirgus took second in the 1600 (4:45.96), third in the 800 (2:06.97) and third in the 3200 (10:59.09). Kadeem Vance took second in the 110 meter hurdles (15.37) and third in the 300 meter hurdles (42.32).

In the boys field events Elex Carter took first place in the triple jump (41-01). Vance finished third in the long jump (20-04.50). Andrew Weber took second in the discus (121-06) while Darren Williams captured third (112-08). Justin Anderson was second in the javelin (141-04).

“This is my first time headed to regionals. It feels pretty good,” said Weber.

Added Williams, “I had a bad first throw. I wasn’t really feeling it. Coach (Greg) Gathers  gave me a little motivational speech and it pumped me up. It feels great to move on.”

Despite falling just short, ESJ’s boys have been on a roll and will be well represented at regionals.

“We’ve got a lot of returning members from last year’s team, and that team did really well,” said Carter. “So we all came back with the same mindset.”

Said Anderson, “We’ve been really pushing ourselves all year. We’ve put in the work.”

Stirgus moves on to the regional in three events in spite of a lingering knee injury.

“We’ve been up and down. A lot of guys have been fighting injuries,” said Stirgus.

“But we’ve been getting better and better as we’ve gone on this season.”

On the track for the Ladycats, Ann Marie Jenkins took fourth in the 200 (27.77). Ra-Jane’ Morris took first in the 800 (2:43.97) and second in the 400 (1:00.88). Cecillia Woods finished first in the 1600 (6:27.82), second in the 800 (2:54.32) and second in the 3200 (15:29.59). Bishan Caston was first in the 3200 (15:18.89) and third in the 1600 (6:45.64). Ayonte Thomas was third in the 100 (16.85). Leiah Turner finished second in the 300 (51.58). The ESJ 4×200 relay team (Morris, Keyvin Parker, Ann Marie Jenkins and Taylor Duhe) took fourth (1:48.53). The 4x400relay team (Courtney Pierson, Duhe, Ariel Scioneaux and Turner) took second.

In the field events, Elizabeth Scioneaux finished second in the long jump (16-06) and third in the triple jump (33-10). Ayonte Thomas took second in the triple jump (35-05). Regina Rixner finished second in the shot put (30-05.75). Alaya Thompson took fourth in the shotput (29-03.00). Dominique Gray finished third in the discus (82-09.50). Sheala Millet finished third in the javelin (90-08).

The victory for the ESJ girls meant a lot to its athletes and program, said coach Mark Creecy.

“It’s a big accomplishment for us,” he said. “We started up a little late. I didn’t get in there until January. But we were able to put everything together at the right time.”

Creecy said he thinks the best is yet to come. Much of the core of this year’s team will return next year.

Of course, this year’s team still has some unfinished business. The team suffered disappointment in the 4×100 relay event when ESJ was disqualified for a lane violation. Creecy believed that team had a very good chance to get to state.

But plenty of other Ladycats are headed to regionals with a chance to advance again.

“For us, regionals aren’t necessarily about winning the event, but getting as many people to place and move on to state as we can,” he said.