In one of the most epic races of the day at the LHSAA State Indoor Championships, Lake Charles College Prep's Jayla Mason snatched victory from the jaws of defeat on the anchor leg of the girls' Division II 4x200 relay.
Here is how it happened.
St. Louis High got out to an early lead thanks to sophomore Hannah Boullion and senior Kenzie Touchet.
Only two sophomores in the nation have a faster time than Boullion in the 400m during the 2023 season, and if she raced those two, Bouillon would be favored because her 56.70 came on the flat track inside the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse.
Touchet is a senior sprint hurdler, who has used the indoor season to improve her speed endurance-which will come in handy during the 300 hurdles in the outdoor season and beyond as she has signed with the University of Louisiana Lafayette.
Together, Bouillon, who had the fastest split on the St. Louis team (24.81), and Touchet built a lead that appeared to be insurmountable. At least MileSplit LA announcer Zahir Giwa thought so as the Saints had a comfortable lead going into the anchor leg.
"Absolutely no one can catch them as it stands now," Giwa said.
But Mason wasn't standing--she was using every fiber in her body in a dead sprint--and Giwa didn't know what Mason had on her mind. She was determined to get her Trailblazers to the top of the podium in the Carl Maddox Fieldhouse.
According to Delta Timing, Mason split a 25.20--the fastest on the LCCP team. Not surprising for the defending Class 3A 200m outdoor state champion, who ran a 24.81 last May to win her first state championship.
It took every inch, but Mason came across at 1:45.47, leaning past St. Louis Catholic anchor Kassidy Richard to claim to state title by .01.
And the Trailblazers have bragging rights--for now-- in Lake Charles, LA.
Other members of the state champion Lake Charles College Prep 4x200 team include Amari Sambolah, Aika Jackson, and Alaysia Reed.