Vandy sweeps 8-4A District

It occurs so regularly, you can set a clock by it.

Vandebilt won the District 8-4A track and field title, its eighth consecutive year for the girls, fifth straight for the boys.

“I was glad once again to win a championship,” said Vandebilt track coach David Malone. Doesn’t matter if you win it by a little or a lot, it’s a good feeling.”

What makes these championships more special than the others is that Vandebilt hosted a track meet for the first time in 12 years last Wednesday.

The school’s performance in staging the meet was nearly as flawless as its teams in the meet.

The freshly-installed surface at Buddy Marcello Stadium paved the way for Terriers’ wins.

The boys’ crown came down to the final event, the 1,600-meter relay. Leading by three points, Vandebilt had to at least come in second to Archbishop Shaw. They did even better.

On its first two legs, Shaw’s Pierre Hill and M.J. Ahmed built a 20-meter lead over Vandebilt’s Jacob Allen and Jordan Ezell. On the third leg, Christopher Watson nearly ran down Shaw’s Mark Paul, closing the gap to within a few feet. On the anchor, Vandebilt’s Braden Eschete ran neck-and-neck with Shaw’s Patrick Landry until pulling away in the final 100 meters to give the Terriers a 158-153 victory.

“The 4×400 team ran the race of their lives, said Malone. “They wanted that trophy and they got it. You simply can’t measure heart – heart and guts – from our four guys.”

The other boys’ team finals were Belle Chasse (118), Ellender (55), Morgan City (42) and Helen Cox (40).

Shaw’s Kyle Lessig was the Male Track MVP for placing first in 3,200- (10:36:54) and second in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs.

Belle Chasse’s James Wright was the Male Field MVP for placing first in long (22 feet, 4.25 inches) and triple jumps (44 feet, 10.5 inches) and second in high jump.

Lessing and Wright split the Most Outstanding Male Performer Award.

The Lady Terriers had far less drama in winning their title, racking up 123 points. Other girls’ team finals were Helen Cox (105), Belle Chasse (88), Ellender (45) and Morgan City (9).

Rachel Laurent won the pole vault with a 13-foot, 6-inch clearance, but failed on three attempts to break the national girls’ high school record in front of the home fans.

She also placed second in the 100-meter dash and third in the 200-meter dash.

“She’s new to the 200,” said Malone. “Just a couple of weeks ago, girls coach Desiree Barlett decided to put her the 200. She’s an all-around athlete, and Vandebilt’s going to miss her when she graduates that for sure.”

Helen Cox’s Vinnessa Bartholomew was named Most Outstanding Female Performer and Female Track MVP for wins in the first 100- (12:86) and 200-meter dashes (26:10)

Belle Chasse’s Jessica Nelson was the Female Field MVP for placing first in shot put (34 feet, 9 inches) and discus (104 feet, one-inch) and second in high jump.

The top four finishers in each event advanced to the Region 3-4A meet at Salmen High in Slidell today.

At the meet’s conclusion, Vandebilt presented Charlie Laurent, father of Rachel and Amber, with a plaque for his efforts in getting the track renovated.

Other event winners from local school at the meet were:

Vandebilt

Braden Eschete – Boys’ 400-meter dash (52:06)

Joara Johnson – Boys’ pole vault (13 feet)

Joel Ross – Boys’ shot put (50 feet, .5 inches)

Jeff Fontenot – Boys’ javelin (140 feet, 8 inches)

Emily Carrere – Girls’ 800-meter run (2:34:52)

Alexis Guidry – Girls’ 3,200-meter run (12:53:62)

Leslie Rabalis – Girls’ 110-meter hurdles (17:27)

Jordan Picou – Girls’ high jump (4 feet, 8 inches)

Emma Gaiennie – Girls’ javelin (107 feet, 2 inches)

Ellender

Boys 400-meter relay (42:62)

Boys 800-meter relay (1:29:63)

Girls 1,600-meter relay (4:33:90)

Ariel Bonvillian – Girls’ 400-meter dash (1:03:45)

Hali Yarmush – Girls’ 1,600-meter run (5:53:48)

Morgan City

Johnny Francois -100-meter dash (10:89) and 200-meter dash (21:65)

Vandebilt’s Joel Ross placed second in the boys discus with a throw of 143 feet, 3.5 inches. * Photo by KEYON JEFF