By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE —  Patrick Juneau and Emily Triche were honored as Mr. Comet and Mrs. Comet respectively at St. Charles Catholic’s annual athletic banquet, those considered the school’s top athletic honors. 

Juneau was an All-State punter in 2013 for the Comets football team, averaging 44 yards per kick, while doubling as what football coach and athletic director Frank Monica called the team’s “best offensive lineman.” He signed with Louisiana College earlier this year to continue his kicking career. Juneau also played soccer for two seasons at the school and was a member of its powerlifting team. 

He’s likely best known for his clutch kicking at the end of SCC’s 2011 state championship run, a game-winning 21-yard field goal with four seconds remaining to best Parkview Baptist in the Class 3A semifinal and a 29-yard field goal in an eventual 9-8 win over Amite in the 3A championship game.

“He was a very, very good football player,” Monica said. “Nobody outworks him, and he never backed down. As a kicker, he twice led us in tackles on the kickoff team. He’s just a very mentally tough kid, a guy that’s hard at work when the coach isn’t looking.”

Triche, meanwhile, was a rare four-year starter at shortstop for the Comets softball team, helping to lead SCC to three appearances at Sulphur’s state softball tournament. St. Charles won 20 games or more and at least one postseason game in each of her four seasons. 

In her senior year, Triche earned All-State honors as well as L’OBSERVATEUR’S St. John the Baptist Parish MVP nod after turning in a .699 on-base percentage as the Comets leadoff hitter. She batted .590, scored 40 runs and drove in 28 more. 

“Emily’s just a phenomenal competitor,” Monica said. “We’re surely going to miss her. She embodies all you want in a student-athlete. 

“She’s very intelligent and it shows in her academic work, and on the softball field she’s a great team leader. She’s a fine ambassador for St. Charles Catholic.”