PARKVIEW BAPTIST'S AIDEN MONISTERE (RIGHT) COMPETES AT A MEET EARLIER THIS SEASON
There are a few divisions in the LHSAA where distance fans feel like they have a good grasp of what will happen on Monday at the 2024 LHSAA State Cross Country Championships. Division 3 is one of those divisions.
The defending champion in the boys' division, returns for his final race on the course where he led his Parkview Baptist Eagles to their third straight state title last year. Aiden Monistere has had a near perfect season, which started with a runner-up performance at the Southern Showcase.
From there, he went on to win the Nike South Regional and has kept that momentum going with a six race win streak.
He is the only distance runner in Division 3 who has broken the 16:00 minute. He is truly in a class all by himself.
But he isn't the only Parkview Baptist Eagle who is head and shoulders above the competition. Barring any unforseen circumstances, sisters Lucy Cramer and Molly Cramer will go No. 1 and No. 2, but the order is not certain.
If that is indeed the way that things transpire, it will not be the first time that has happened for the Cramer sisters. The sister act went No. 1 and No. 2 in 2022 when both were competing for Episcopal.
Speaking of the Episcopal Crusaders, look for Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame coach Claney Duplechin to add yet another title to his historic coaching resume'. Episcopal knocked off the defending state champions by placing all five scoring runners in the top eight at the D3 Region 2 Championships. Duplechin's team, led by sophomore Trace Macias, had an incredible 36 second split with an average time of 17:07.
Episcopal will be keeping an eye on the Greenies of Newman, who won the D3 Region 3 Championships and--like Episcopal--averaged 17:07. One thing that Newman has in their lead pack is a senior. The Greenies are led Maslen L'Esperance, won the individual title at the D3 Region 3 Championships with a time of 16:14.
After finishing as the runner-up in the division in 2023, Newman would love nothing more than to upset the D3 apple cart.
In the girls' team race, Parkview Baptist, which averaged 18:38 at regionals, beat Episcopal 23-43. That result will more than likely be repeat itself on Monday.