ZACHARY'S VEDEREK MATTHEWS SPRINTS TO THE LINE IN THE 300m HURDLES!

Here are the eight finalist for this week's MileSplit LA Boys' Performer of the Week Poll. The winner will advance to the ballot for Athlete of the Month. This poll will close on Saturday at 9pm.

TAYLOR ROLLER (RUSTON) - Ran a 4:24 at the inaugural LA Mile Festival. The time is No. 2 in the state and ranks No. 9 in the nation among all freshmen. 

PRESTON SUMMAGE (HUNTINGTON) - The Huntington coaching staff raves about this young man's work ethic. He has been knocking on the door of a sub 50.00 performance in the 400m. Look for him to kick the door down as we enter the championship season. This week, he won Huntington's Raider Relays with a 50.41. Summage has finished first or second in five out of six races he has competed in during the 2023 season.

KENDRICK ALEXANDER (CECILIA) - Alexander is an undefeated 5-0 in the shot put this season. His season best of 53-1 at the Pat Arceneaux Relays ranks No. 4 in Louisiana. 

CAMREN HARDY (EDNA KARR)- Hard to argue with what Hardy has done during this outdoor season. He has the fastest 200m (21.15) and 400m (47.39) times in Louisiana this season. Hardy also has the fourth fastest 100m time (10.56). All three times were turned in at three different meets. 

FERZELL SHEPARD (SCOTLANDVILLE) - Shepard ran a season-best 21.73 at last week's Brady Perry Invite. The performance has the sophomore ranked No. 13 in Louisiana. In the same meet, Shepard also won the 400m with a time of 49.19.

WINSTON DECUIR (CATHOLIC) - The defending LHSAA Class 5A State 800m Champion ran a personal record 1:53.13 last week at the Episcopal Jostens Relays. Amazingly, Decuir finished second to Zachary's Rhen Langley, who also ran a personal best--1:52.25. Langley's time is No. 7 all-time in Louisiana. Decuir's time is No. 16 all-time. 

BRADY MULLEN (JESUIT) - Mullen is the state-leader in the 3200m this season with a 9:10.29 which he ran at the Texas Distance Festival last March. The time ranks No. 7 all-time in Louisiana. How loaded are the Blue Jays? There are two runners (Michael Vocke and Jack DesRoches) who have run faster over 3200m. Like Mullen, both Vocke and DesRoches ran their personal best times in the 3200m at the Texas Distance Festvial, but it was in 2022 meet.

VEDEREK MATTHEWS (ZACHARY) - Matthews is ranked in the top five in both 110m hurdles and the 300m hurdles. Matthews is ranked No. 4 with a season best of 14.45 in the 110m hurdles. He is also ranked No. 5 in the 300m hurdles with a 38.35. Matthews has run in 12 hurdle races this season. There has only been one race in which he didn't finish first or second.