By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateu

RESERVE – There were smiles all around and plenty of pride on display Thursday morning at Joe Keller Memorial Stadium.

Five East St. John track and field competitors gathered with friends and family to make official their leap to the next level of competition – and schooling – in a signing ceremony at their home track.

Keyvin Parker (Georgetown College-Kentucky), Ariel Scioneaux (University of New Orleans), Alaya Thomas (Prairie View), Leiah Turner (Southeastern) and Cecilla Woods (Southern) are each headed to the next level after helping to lead the Lady Wildcats to their first district championship in over a decade.

East St. John girls track and field coach Mark Creecy said that the five girls are part of what he expects to be a total signing class of 11 for the overall track and field program. On the boys side, Jevaughn Albert and Donald Stirgus have both already signed with Southeastern, while Darren Darensburg is headed to Belhaven. Kadeem Vance is mulling over two offers, while Troy Gerard is set to attend Arkansas Baptist. Back on the girls side, Creecy said Ra-Jane’ Morris also has a chance to sign.

“We don’t see track and field as a backburner sport,” said Creecy. “And what people are seeing now is you can get that scholarship through it.”

Woods, the Ladycats’ team captain, is a four year track and field veteran who specialized in the distance events, running the 800, 1600 and 3200. At Southern, she will also compete in cross country. She was the track MVP in the Ladycats’ district championship victory.

“I can’t wait to go and compete and see what’s out there,” said Woods. “Coming to practice every day and staying determined really paid off.”

Woods also had an offer from Loyola. But after being torn between the two schools, she ultimately decided on Southern. Southern, unlike Loyola, has a nursing program, and that’s what Woods plans to study.

“Loyola really, really wanted her,” said Creecy. “She went back and forth, but in the end, Loyola didn’t have her nursing.”

For Thomas, it was the culmination of hopes that grew within her  even before high school. She has family that lives near Prairie View, and upon a visit there during her eighth grade year, she knew where she’d ultimately like to be.

“I’ve always really wanted to go out of state, so I could see more and do more,” said Thomas, who specialized in the shot put and discus. “I went to visit my cousin’s house when I was in the 8th grade, and he took me to see their main campus.  After I saw it, I always wanted to go there.”

Thomas began with the track and field program as a junior, but her senior season represented her first full body of work.

“I’m just blessed. I didn’t think I’d earn a scholarship this soon,” she said. “That it’s the school I wanted to go to just makes me so happy.”

Turner, meanwhile, competed in track during just her senior year, in the hurdle events as well as the 400, 100 and 200. Her height and athleticism opened eyes at Southeastern.

Turner, a standout on the Ladycats’ varsity volleyball team as well, will be able to play both sports at the school.

“I think I can do both,” she said. “I liked Southeastern not just for track and athletics, but also for education. It’s a good school.”

Said Creecy, “Her first real track meet was district. She has a world of potential.”

Parker competed in the shot put, 100, 200 and 4×1 and 4×2 relay events.

She gave up basketball to concentrate on track full time before her senior year.

“I was ready to do this for real,” said Parker. “I told coach Creecy that I wanted earn a track scholarship, and he told me, ‘Just wait, I’ve got you.’ He’s been my coach since the seventh grade. I just gave him a big hug.

“I’ve got to thank my momma, my sisters, my boyfriend, and coach Creecy. He never gave up on me.”

Scioneaux, whose brother, Alvin, is an ESJ grad and current standout football player at Wofford, competed in the 100, 200, 400 and high jump as a senior.

“It’s (UNO’s) first year having track back. There will be all new coaches, and I’ll have new teammates, so I’m really excited to see what it has to offer.”

Creecy said he was proud of his athletes not just for their exploits in the athletic arena, but in the classroom.

Four of the five had a 3.0 GPA or above, with the fifth coming close with a 2.9, and all were qualified with strong ACT scores.

“That’s when it becomes an easy sell to these schools,” said Creecy.

“When you get it done academically like they have, that’s the kind of athlete they want to attract.”