Marquez Stevenson on Mission at Region I-5A Meet!

SHREVE'S MARQUEZ STEVENSON SPRINTS THROUGH THE FINSISH LINE AT THE REGION I-5A MEET!

      Captain Shreve's Marquez Stevenson was a man on a mission at the Region I-5A Meet in Natchitoches on Wednesday. After a disappointing district meet, the junior made the most of his opportunity in the city where he grew up.

      It started with the 100 meters. Stevenson, the District 1-5A champion in the event, came in as the No. 4 seed, but seeds can be deceiving--especially when timing companies do not have the ability to run the 100 meters in either direction based on the wind.

     That is exactly what happened at the District 1-5A Meet. While Collegiate Timing Services had the equpiment set up, the workers could not get the technology to cooperate, so sprinters had to run into the wind. 

     On the other hand, District 2-5A, which was timed by McDuffy Timing Services, was able to turn the 100 around and put it at the backs of the sprinters.

     The Result? The top three seeds in Wednesday's Region I-5A Meet were from the District 2-5A. 

      On Wednesday, District 1-5A--led by Stevenson--showed who is boss in the sprints. Four of the top five places--including the top three--were from District 1-5A. Southwood's LA Travian Johnson finished second from lane one. Parkway junior Jaylan White finished third with a 10.92.

      It left District 2-5A sprinters and coaches scratching their head after the race.

      As for Stevenson?

      "I really feel like I didn't come in at No. 1 because last week we ran against the wind instead of with the wind," Stevenson said. "It was fun racing them."

       After winning the District 1-5A 400 meters, Stevenson caught cramps in his lower leg. The cramps were such that Stevenson was not able to run in the 200 meters towards the end of the meet.

        To say the least, he was not happy about it.

       "I was mad because I wanted to be a triple crown in individual and also win with my relay team. It was a goal I set for myself to get. Four golds and got to state for all four."

       He used the disappointment as motivation to do something special at Wednesday's Region I-5A Meet, but there was also some anxiety leading up to his first race of the day.  

       "Honestly, I was kind of scared because ever since my leg cramped up it's been real tight and hard for me to run on it, but I just stayed patient and recovered over time."

        Stevenson had a plan to take care of his body after his first Region I-5A championship. 

        "I've got my ice and massage gun to keep me loose and to keep me from cramping up again." 

       The plan worked, at least for his 400 meter race. Stevenson burned up the track at the Walter Ledet Track Complex, running a 47.67, breaking the record of 47.76 set by Parkway's Cory Hamilton in 2013. 

       Stevenson's time in the 400 meters in the fastest time in Louisiana this year, surpassing Catholic junior Winston Decuir's 47.81. As for returners in the U.S., Stevenson is currently at No. 19 and Decuir is at No. 20. 

      Add John Curtis' King Taylor and St. Augustine senior Zander Dunbar in the mix, and it makes the 400 meters one to circles as Louisiana track and field fans get ready for the 2022 LHSAA State Outdoor Championship. 

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