Quartermiler Chris Avery of Hamilton Christian Academy and hurdler/middle distance runner Racheal Easton of LaGrange High have signed athletic scholarships with McNeese State.
McNeese track coach Brendon Gilroy announced the signings on Tuesday.
“Chris comes from a long line of accomplished athletes. His father (Chris) competed in the 800 meters for Grambling and his uncle (Charles) played football and ran track for the Cowboys. Chris is a hard working individual eager to learn to run faster. He had a best last year of 48.67 and he will add much needed depth to our sprint corps,” Gilroy said.
“Racheal comes to us from a very successful LaGrange High track and field program. She is a honor roll student with a great work ethic. She has already established herself as one of the premier 300 meter hurdlers in Louisiana with a personal best of 44.92. She took second in the event at the state meet last year and also has a great range from the 200 to the 800 meters. She will make an immediate impact on the Cowgirl team next year.”
Avery was part of Hamilton’s state champion 1600 meter relay team last year and also finished second in the 400 meters and ran a leg on the school’s second place 800 meter relay squad. He’s qualified for the state meet all four years of his competition.
He is the son of Chris and Belinda Avery.
Easton, the daughter of Willie and Betty Easton, was a member of LaGrange’s state champion 4x400 meter relay team last year, both indoors and outdoors, and also ran a leg on the Gators’ champion indoor 4x800 meter relay team.
Individually, she finished as the runnerup in the 300 meter hurdles and in the 800 meter hurdles last spring. She also led the Gators to the 4x400 meter relay title in both 2006 and 2007.