LAPLACE — Individual regional champions West St. John’s Marcus Boudoin and St. Charles Catholic’s Patrick Ratliff highlight a group of Comets and Rams heading to the state track and field championships this week at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium.

Marcus Boudoin highlighted regional action at White Castle Friday for West St. John, finishing as regional champion in the boys 300 hurdles (40.54), while taking second in the 110 hurdles (15.49).

Ratliff’s javelin throw of 135-11 at last week’s Class 3A regional earned him championship honors.

The Rams’ 4×100 relay (Kie’Ave Harry, Lamore Boudoin, Marcus Boudoin and Austin Alexander) took second place (44.14) at White Castle.

On the girls side, the Lady Rams’ Christina Holmes finished second in the high jump (4-06) and in the javelin (102-01).

“I’m pleased with the way we competed,” West St. John coach Nelann Taylor said. “I think everyone did a great job. Obviously, we’re elated for the athletes advancing to state. We saw a lot of our competitors post their best times.

“We had some nice efforts from 8th graders who hadn’t been there before. It was great to see.”

Holmes, Taylor said, has shown a great desire to lift her performance from one meet to another, and she said meets like the regional inspire her strongest efforts. Holmes improved her mark in the high jump from the district meet, 4-04 to 4-06, and in the javelin, 96-01 to 102-01.

“She wants to be the best,” Taylor said. “She’ll see people she’s competed against, like the (O’Bear) twins from White Castle, and she’ll say, ‘OK, I’ve got to beat them.’ She keeps setting personal records and did that again at the regional. We’re pretty excited.”

Boudoin, meanwhile, has peaked at the right time.

“He’s a gifted hurdler,” Taylor said. “Each meet, he’s built on his success and we’re really looking forward to seeing how he stacks up against the best on Friday.”

For St. Charles, Lexi Tran earned second place in the 3A girls discus (78-02), while Heidi Roussel earned third place in the girls javelin (86-00).

“We’re excited to have three fresh faces heading to state,” St. Charles track and field coach Courtland Taylor said, noting Ratliff, Tran and Roussel will be making their first appearance at the championship meet.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them each bring their best performance.”

Taylor said Ratliff, who served as SCC’s backup quarterback on the football field, has been getting better and better in the javelin all year.

“He’s got a really strong arm, and he’s been making it stronger,” Taylor said. “He’s worked on his technique and he went out and earned that first place title (at the regional).

“He, Heidi and Lexi are all great examples to all of our kids, that when you put in the work, you have success and get (to state).”