BENTON'S JEFF KING COMPETES IN LAST YEAR'S LHSAA STATE OUTDOOR MEET
Benton head coach Clint Barnes has spotted senior Jeffery King stopping in the hallway at the school's athletic complex on several occasions over the past couple of years, looking at the record board.
Soon, King--and other Benton javelin throwers who come behind him--will be looking at his name as King broke Latrell Frederick's 27-year old school record with a throw of 201-9 at the Bossier Parish Championships yesterday.
King won the competition by over 56 feet, and beat the old school record (197-10) by almost four feet.
"He told me he was feeling it yesterday," Barnes said Friday morning. "He told me he was at least going to throw it 190 feet. He threw a different javelin. I'm so happy that he was able to get it. He has worked so hard."
With the throw, Kings moves past West Monroe freshman Jaxon Talley, who was ranked No. 2 in the state with a season best of 191-0. Catholic's Paul Catalanatto, who has signed with LSU, is No. 1 in the state with a throw of 215-1.
It also puts King at No. 9 in the nation.
"My whole goal was trying to stay relaxed and trust myself," King said. "When it left my hand, I knew it had a shot, but I wasn't certain."
One thing that helped King on Thursday was a new javelin.
"The new javelin is (rated at) 70 meters," King said. "It's stiffer, and when you really put one out there, it will fly. My old javelin was more flimsy and tough to throw."
But it has taken more than a new javelin to get him to this point. King gave credit to his coaches for his record-breaking performance.
"Coach Evans, Coach Barnes, and Coach Reeder," King said. "I couldn't thank them enough for how they push me to be the best version of myself."
King wasn't the only Tiger to have success in the javelin on Thursday. In the girls' competition, Sadie Hamby won with a personal record throw of 132-11.
Hamby moves to N. 3 on the Louisiana list and No. 25 in the nation.
What will it be like for King when he finally sees his name on the wall under the school records?
"It will be such an awesome moment," King said. "Just knowing the work I put in to break this record, just shows nothing's impossible with God on your side."
At last year's Region 1-5A Meet, King met Frederick, who is the throws coach at Natchitoches Central High School. He is looking forward to their next meeting.
"I look forward to catch up with Latrell," King said. "He is one of Benton's all-time greats."
Now, North Bossier Parish--and future Benton student-athletes-- will be saying the same thing about King.
TEAM TITLES...
Parkway edged Haughton to capture the Bossier Parish Championship. The Panthers scored 167.5 points, 8.5 more than the Bucs.
Once again, it was the distance group leading the way as Parkway went No.1-No.2 in the 800m, 1600m, and 3200m. Gabe Falting scored 20.5 points with a win in the 800m (2:01.27) and a runner-up finished in the 1600m (4:29.95). Falting also ran a leg on Parkway's winning 4x400m relay (3:27.79).
Other Panthers having a big day included freshman Brennan Robin, Devon Oliver, Will Achee, and Dolan Williams.
Both Robin and Oliver were double winners. Robin won the 1600m (4:23.06) and 3200m (9:52.87). Oliver won the shot put (51-1) and discus (159-1).
Achee had runner-up finishes in the 200m (22.48) and 400m (50.28) and was also on the winning 4x400m team.
Williams had podium finishes in both the shot put and discus. He finished second in the discus (129-5) and third in the shot put (41-4).
Nobody in the boys division at the Bossier Parish Championships scored more points than Haughton's John Brown. Brown won the 100m (11.04), 200m (22.40), and 400m (49.79).
The competition in the girls' division was not as close. Benton, led by Addyson Hulett's 40 points, ran away with the title by scoring 216 points. Parkway was the runner-up with 157 points.
Hulett won the 100m (12.85), 200m (26.33), 400m (59.12), and pole vault (9-0).
Besides winning the javelin, Hamby finished second in the discus (113-1) and third in the shot put (34-4).
Other Tigers contributing to the team's success included Taylor Brown, Jaliyah Player, and Claire Allen.
Brown scored 18 points in the jumps and hurdles. Player scored 18 points with strong performances in the 200m, long jump, and relays. Allen scored 14 points with podium finishes in both the 1600m and 3200m.