Ellender, Vandy in chase for state track, field title

Ellender will send two individuals and its 400-relay team and Vandebilt Catholic will send 11 athletes to the state track and field championships Saturday at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium.

But one of the Terriers’ best will not make the trip north.

Christopher Watson was disqualified from the pole vault event of the Region 3-4A track meet at Salmen High School last Wednesday. According to meet officials, Watson was not wearing his cross medallion under his uniform and taped to his chest during the entire meet as was required.

“I didn’t have it taped down before the meet or in warmups,” admitted Watson. “Just during the pole vault.”

Watson had cleared four heights, culminating in a 13-foot, 10-inch leap, which led all competitors. It was not until after the event concluded that someone complained to meet officials.

There was much confusion initially over exactly why Watson was disqualified. At first, the complaint focused on wearing jewelry during competition, but athletes are permitted to wear religious medals.

Then there was a complaint about Watson possibly wearing a headband and/or sunglasses during his jumps.

According to Watson’s pole vault coach, Kevin Trosclair, who also refereed high school football for 25 years, Louisiana High School Athletic Association rules state that track officials must notify coaches and athletes beforehand if apparel is banned from the meet.

Trosclair said meet officials never said anything about prohibiting such items. “This is complete and utter nonsense,” the coach said. “He (Watson) followed the rules exactly as they are.”

“I don’t know who complained, but someone seemed determined to get me kicked out,” said Watson.

There was also confusion over whether the Jury of Appeals, which reviewed the official’s ruling, based their decision to disqualify him on the headband/sunglass argument or because the cross was not taped to Watson’s body.

In the end, the Jury of Appeals upheld the official’s decision and LHSAA assistant commissioner Mac Chauvin affirmed its ruling.

“Look, they called me at my home, gave me the information they had and I said whatever the Jury of Appeals rules is the final word,” Chauvin said Friday.

Watson harbors no lingering ill feelings.

“I can’t do anything about it or change their minds, so it doesn’t help to keep complaining about it,” he said. “Right now, I’m focused on winning my soccer team’s [rec league] championship.”

Other local athletes from Region 3-4A competing for state titles Saturday:

Vandebilt

Joel Ross – shot put and discus

Hunter Haydel – high jump

Joara Johnson – pole vault

Braden Eschete – 400-meter dash

Justin Babin – 1,600-meter run

Rachel Laurent – pole vault

Amber Laurent – pole vault

Taylor Crosby – discus

Emma Gainenne – javelin

Emily Carrere – 800-meter dash

Alexis Guidry – 3,200-meter run

Ellender

Bradford Matthews – long jump and triple jump

Hali Yarmush – 1,600- and 3,200-meter run

Boys 400-meter relay team

Ellender, Vandy in chase for state track, field title