Class B Boys Preview
Episcopal of Acadiana won last year's LHSAA Class B State Championship and with Anderson Frank, who leads the state in the 800m (2:03.79), 1600m (4:35.63), and 3200m (10:09.79), it's quite possible ESA could leave Bernie Moore Stadium with another state championship.
Last year, Frank finished second in each of his three events. In two of the events, Frank finished second to his teammate Greer Hernandez. ESA lost Hernandez to graduation and Frank has taken full control in his new leadership role.
If there is any team who could challenge ESA, it might be JS Clark Leadership Academy, led by Lawrence Pickney, who has the leading time in Class B in the 110m hurdles (22.96). Pickney is also ranked No. 3 in the 100m (11.17).
Pickney, who is a junior, is the defending LHSAA Class B state champion in both the 100m (11.23) and 200m (23.02).
Of course when a team has one of the fastest athletes in the state, it's usually up near the top of the sprint relay rankings. It's no different with J.S. Clark Leadership Academy, who has the No.1 ranked 4x100m (44.23) and 4x200m (1:32.31) teams in Class B.
Yet another speedster from J.S. Clark Leadership Academy to keep an eye on is freshman Kevin Brown, who is the No. 1 ranked 110m hurdler in Class B. Brown beat the defending state champion-Lacassine's Chase Armentor--at the Region 3-B Meet.
There are two sprinters who have faster times than Pickney in the 100m this season. Simsboro's Jalen Outley is the No.1 ranked sprinter in Class B with a time of 11.02. Zwolle's Preston Sanders in the No. 2 ranked 100m sprinter with a time of 11.16.
ESA closed the 2023 LHSAA State Championships out in dramatic fashion by winning the 4x400. The team is ranked No. 7 going into this year's state championship. Lacassine, who finished second a year ago, is ranked No. 4 in the state. Midland is ranked No. 1 with a season best of 3:39.49.
High school track fans will want to pay attention to Quitman's Bryan Lay in the pole vault. Lay, who is one of the best pole vaulters in Louisiana in any class, wowed the crowds during the indoor season. He comes into his final LHSAA state championship with a season best of 14-6.
In the long jump, J.S. Clark Leadership Academy's Austin Simon is the only jump in Class B who has exceeded the 22 foot barrier. Simon has a season best of 22-2.
While the pole vault and long jump competition may not be close, that should not be the case in the boys high jump where four athletes are tied at No. 1 with a jump of 6-0. This includes Simon and Sanders.
The boys triple jump will more than likely come down to a rematch of the Region 1-B Meet where Outley won with a jump of 42-3. Florein's Rankin Alford finished second with a jump of 42-2.
ESA's Javion George (139-8) has the best mark in the boys' discus this season by over eight feet. Grace Christian's Tucker McCoy (167-5) is the No. 1 ranked javelin thrower in Class B, and Weston's Juan Gonzalez (49-0) leads the Class B shot put by almost a foot.
Class B Girls Preview
At last year's LHSAA Class B State Outdoor Championships, Doyline's Izayla Harris won the MVP trophy and is a heavy favorite to do the same at this year's meet as she comes in the the No. 1 ranking in the 100m (11.77), 200m (24.92), 400m (58.34), and triple jump (35-9).
She is the defending state champion in all three events.
In the distance events, keep an eye on Hathaway's Kaitlyn Sawyer, who has been impressive since her personal-record breaking indoor season. Sawyer leads Class B in the 800m (2:20.93) and 1600m (5:21.94).
Christ Episcopal's Noah Watson(11:57.24) is the No.1 ranked 3200m.
Speaking of Christ Episcopal, CES won both the 4x100m and 4x200m sprint relays at last year's Class B state championship.
Going into this year's meet, Midland is the team to watch. They are ranked No. 1 in all three relays. They have a best of 52.58 in the 4x100m and 1:48.73 in the 4x200m. In the 4x400m, Midland has season best of 4:13.85 in the 4x400m.