Suzette Autin Adams
August 1, 2012
August Concerts
August 1, 2012
For most incoming college freshmen, the last few weeks of summer are high-stress occasions filled with packing, course scheduling and final goodbyes to friends and family.
Former Central Lafourche track standout Abby Lazard is experiencing all of those things before her upcoming move to Kennesaw State.
But she’s making a little time for the Olympics, too.
Lazard is one of many Tri-parish athletes who has an eye on NBC’s Olympic coverage, saying that it is “her dream” to someday be competing in a future version of the summer games.
Her wish has merit as Lazard is set to be a jumper for Kennesaw after signing a scholarship to join the team’s track program this past spring after a state championship-winning career with the Trojans.
“I just watch gymnastics and track,” Lazard said. “But I definitely envision myself being on that stage someday and possibly competing for Team USA. That’d be like a dream coming true.”
Lazard is one of several local track athletes to keep an eye on toward the future.
Thibodaux High School soon-to-be junior Dewayne Reed should win bundles of gold throughout the remainder of his prep career.
As just a sophomore, Reed won the State Championship in the long jump this past May with a leap of 23-feet, 9-inches.
He said he expects to progress and improve his marks in his final two years with the Tigers.
If he does, he wouldn’t have too much farther to go to be a world-class competitor.
In comparison, top American competitor Marquise Goodwin earned his place in London with a 27-foot, 4-inch leap.
Track purists could also keep an eye on LSU’s roster in the future, as former Vandebilt standout Chris Watson and H.L. Bourgeois pole vaulter Brianne Bergeron compete for the Tigers and Lady Tigers, respectively.
Away from track, a few locals could someday represent the stars and stripes on the hardwood with a little luck, progression and seasoning.
The first is going to wear red, white and blue for the next four years.
Ellender center Gibby Talbot committed to Louisiana this past spring and is set to begin his career as a Bulldog.
Standing 6-feet, 10-inches, Talbot progressed 10-fold throughout his high school career with the Patriots.
Now that he’s playing at the school that Karl Malone built? Who knows what might happen.
Talbot believes he will have a successful college run.
“I just can’t wait to get out there and do my best to have an impact,” Talbot said. “I never expected to be in this position. But I’m grateful to be here and look forward to making the most of it.”
In Baton Rouge, LSU is expecting big things from former Thibodaux standout Shavon Coleman.
With a long and lanky frame Coleman’s ability to score both inside and out have the Tigers’ faithful ready to see Coleman in action.
Ranked in recruiting website www.rivals.com’s National Top 100 out of high school, Coleman could blossom into a star.
“He has a knack for scoring,” LSU coach Johnny Jones said. “He is a great defender and he can create other opportunities for the players on the floor with him. We look forward to seeing him.”
In the women’s game, LSU forward and former Vandebilt Catholic standout Theresa Plaisance seems prime to break out in 2012-13.
With a majority of the team’s post players having either graduated or transferred from the team, the Lady Tigers 6-foot, 5-inch post figures to see a huge bump in minutes next season.
If she blossoms into a WNBA talent, she would be entering the pro ranks with international experience.
Plaisance represented Team USA’s gold medal-winning U18 team in the 2010 FIBA Americas 18 Championships.
In the gold medal game, Plaisance scored 11 points, blocked four shots and pulled down five rebounds.
She said one “cannot describe” what it feels like to wear USA across your chest in international competition.
“This is what you dream of as a kid,” Plaisance said during her 2010 FIBA Americas run. “We all play basketball because we love the game. … To be able to play for your country. That’s something that is a dream of not only me, but probably of every person who falls in love with this game.
“It’s something you just can’t describe and just can’t put a dollar value on. It’s just an amazing thing.”
Away from sanctioned Olympic sports, another local could soon boast top dog status among Americans.
Terrebonne High School standout Justin Williams is a consensus top-ranked prep baseball prospect for the 2013 graduating class.
Baseball is no longer on the Olympic slate. But the backlash regarding its removal could possibly thrust it back onto the docket in 2016.
If it does return, the timing would potentially align for Williams to possibly compete for the Americans in Brazil.
Of course, Williams has a lot of work to do at LSU before that could happen.
He said he can’t wait to get started.
“It’s just an amazing baseball team, a good atmosphere, a great field and just great equipment for the players,” Williams said. “It’s just a real baseball school. That’s something I like. They just seem to care about it more than other places do.”
The Olympic dream is a once in a lifetime opportunity for athletes around the globe.
Don’t count out locals who are dreaming of competing for the gold.
LSU junior forward and former Vandebilt center Theresa Plaisance boxes out during a U18 game with Team USA in 2010. Plaisance won gold with the Americans that summer.
