We had two races go down this weekend, one in state and the other in Mississippi. The most significant results came from out of state at the 2021 Watson High School Meet. This venue has been a growing meet and has only become more competitive over the years, and with results and competition like this, I wouldn't be surprised to see more schools from Louisiana flock here next year.
Kicking off with the Girl's Gold Division, Louisiana had an incredible showing by claiming the top 4 positions. All four of those top runners ran 5k times that would be equivalent, or close to, a sub-18-minute 3-mile run.
Ella Chesnut finishing 1st at the Watson Meet Gold Division
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Winning the meet was Ella Chesnut of Vandebilt Catholic. She took home the individual title with a final time of 18:32. She outkicked the rest of the field and surely let everyone know that she is back and ready to throw down some fast times back in Louisiana. This would also be converted as the fastest time in Louisiana this season, as well as, the 4th fastest 5k in Louisiana history.
Finishing two seconds behind Chesnut was Kelsey Major of Dominican. She fought in the middle of the pack for most of the race, but separated herself in the last mile and attempted to take on Chesnut for the title.
Three seconds behind her was Jenna Key of C.E. Byrd. Before the race, Key held the fastest time in the state with an 18:14 3 mile but is now eclipsed by Chesnut and Major. Regardless, she easily beat her 3 mile PR and still stands as one of the best runners in the entire state.
Rounding out the top four finishers was Kelsey Major's teammate Morgan Trauth. She averaged just above 6-minute pace for 5k and managed to out-lean 5th place by just 0.02 seconds.
Svenya Stoyanoff finishing first at the Watson Meet Blue Division
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In the Girls Blue Division Svenya Stoyanoff of Christ Episcopal. Took home a definitive win and beat out second-place by over a minute. She finished in a time of 19:01. It was impressive enough to see her run that fast of a time, but she managed to do so all on her own. Interestingly enough, this time was faster than any of her other performances this year, even with no conversion in comparison to the 3 mile. Stoyanoff clearly has more to give this season.
In the Gold Divison, Dominican (89) took home the title over the Ruston girls (101). Vanderbilt Catholic followed with a 5th place finish (130).
CHECK OUT THE RESULTS OF THE GIRLS GOLD AND BLUE RACES
In the Boys Gold Division, Caleb Babineaux of Ruston took home a strong second-place finish in a time of 15:46. He faced off against the best runners in Mississippi and only lost to the first-place finisher by 9 seconds.
Caleb Babineaux finishing 2nd at the Watson Meet Gold Division
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The next top runners from Louisiana were Mason Haley of Benton and Thomas Rogers of Ruston with 7th and 8th respective finishes. The two were close to breaking 16-minutes for the 5k with times of 16:08 and 16:13.
Though in different divisions, Jake Tournillon of Christ Episcopal and Trent Wells of C.E. Byrd ran the same time of 16:20. Wells competed in the Gold Division and placed 12th while Tournillon finished 2nd with some space between him and 1st and 3rd place.
Ruston defended its team title from the year before with a slim victory of 3 points over Brookhaven High.
Christ Episcopal School also took home the team title in the Blue Division with another close call of 9 points over another Mississippi team, St. Patrick High School.
Back in "The Boot" the SNL XC Invitational was the only meet active that was in-state. Regardless, it still had some fast finishes from some of the best athletes in the state.
On the girls' side, we saw another win for St. Joseph's Academy with their fastest girl of the day, Elise Jones, running 18:47.
The individual winner was freshman Jaci Gary of Southside High School. This was her first-ever race and clearly, she is going to be a recurring face on the distance stage because she opened up her career with a win and a blazing fast time of 18:42.
Lexi Guidry at the Episcopal Round Table Run
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Coming in 3rd was another strong talent, Lexi Guidry of Teurlings Catholic. This was her fastest performance of the season with a time of 18:56. This bodes well for her with the state meet coming up. If she continues to improve like this, she could pose a threat to other potential podium finishers in 4A.
On the boy's side, it was almost a simulation of the 4A state meet. Most of the top finishers came from 4A with runners from Teurlings Catholic, Carencro, St. Michael, and Westgate.
Cameron Kelly at the Episcopal Round Table Run
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It was another successful race for Cameron Kelly of Teurlings Catholic. He won the race with a 17-second lead and a final time of 15:41. He was followed up by his teammate Jude Guidry who ran 15:58.
Teurlings would have made a clean sweep on the podium if it wasn't for the intervention of Bryce Cambell of Carencro. He claimed 3rd with a time of 16:16 and beat out Teurlings third man, Noah Bernard, by just four seconds.