LCCP's JA'RELL JOSEPH REACTS TO HIS 400 TIME (48.03) AT THE REGIONAL TRACK MEET
When Lake Charles College Prep junior JaRell Joseph crossed the finish line at the Region 2-3A Meet earlier this week, he couldn't believe what he saw when he looked up at the scoreboard and saw his time of 48.03. He finished second in the race to Kaplan's Gabriel Clement (47.81).
The race was just one of several this week which produced jaw-dropping reactions from fans--as well as athletes. Here are just of the few.
No. 1 - Ruston's Caleb Babineaux's 800m (1:54.8)
The Ruston Bearcat pulled a group of hard-working half milers from Region I-5A to PRs, including Pineville sophomore Justin Descant, who defeated Babineaux the week before in the District 2-5A Meet. Not far behind the leaders, Haughton's Kenneth Smith and C.E. Byrd Elliott Cochran (1:57).
It was personal record for Babineaux, who had a previous best of 1:55.06 at the Texas Distance Festival in March.
There is only one other runner in the state who has run faster during the outdoor. That would be Zachary's Rhen Langley with a 1:54.03 at the LA National Guard Zachary Invitational.
No. 2 - Shreve's Marquez Stevenson 400m (47.67) LA#2
The Captain Shreve junior came into the Region I-5A Meet on a mission after not finishing the District 1-5A Meet the way he wanted. Stevenson suffered lower leg cramps after his 400m race at district which prevented him from being able to fulfill his goal of leaving with three goal medals.
He put that disappointment behind him at Natchitoches on Wednesday, winning the 100m and breaking the regional meet record of 47.76 by Parkway's Cory Hamilton in 2013 with a 47.67.
Helping to push Stevenson, was Ruston junior Joshua Anding, who was pulled to a personal record.
At the time, it was fastest 400m run in Louisiana this year. And it was for a day, until Catholic's Winston Decuir ran a 46.9 at the Region 2-5A Meet on Thursday.
No. 3 - Barbe's Ariel Williams' High Jump (5-10) Tied US#5
If Barbe's Ariel Williams' came into the Region I-5A Meet as underclassmen to watch, she left Natchitoches as a STAR after jumping 5-10, which ties the Barbe junior with the No. 5 best jump in the nation. The crazy thing is, she didn't have to take it. After Ruston's Bryanna Craig missed--narrowly--on her third attempt, Williams was asked if she wanted her last attempt. She didn't have to take it because she had already won the competed. She wanted it, and she got it!