SEVERAL LA COACHES PUT AIDEN MONISTERE'S (1581) SENIOR XC SEASON AS A TOP STORY IN 2024
Before I reveal my Top 10 stories of 2024 later this month, I wanted to ask coaches from around the state for their input. Here is what they had to say...or text. The question posed to these coaches was this- What were the top five stories of 2024 in Louisiana High School track and field and cross country.
Northwest Louisiana
Coach No. 1- "No. 1- Parkview Baptist's Aiden Monistere and Jesuit's Brady Mullen qualifying for NXN (Nike Cross Nationals). No.2-Mullen Shattering 3200m record during outdoor. No. 3-Parkway's Brennan Robin running the fastest in La. history. No. 4-Catholic High Baton Rouge's Paul Catalanatto winning the national championship at Nike Outdoor. No. 5-Scotlandville sweeping the boys' and girls state indoor and outdoor titles. No. 6-Jesuit's Cullen Doody leaving and moving to the college level..that's probably a little distance slanted but distance had an incredible year in Louisiana."
Coach No. 2- " Jesuit's Brady Mullen in cross country and 3200. Warren Easton's Germaine Smith-Mata 100m. West Feliciana's Tristen Harris long jump and 100m. Scotlandville's Broderick Davis 110m hurdles and long jump. Scotlandville's Sade Gray 100m and 200m. Airline's Jeremiah Boudreaux in the 300m hurdles. Catholic's Paul Catalanatto 234-0 javelin throw. John Curtis's Kyron Sumler 7-0 in the high jump. Scotlandville's Makeriah Harris led her team to state championships both indoor and outdoor. Huntington's Demetria Harris 41-0 triple jump. Teurlings Catholic's Addison Richey 13-6 in pole vault. All top 20 nationally."
Coach No. 3- "No. 1 West Feliciana's Tristen Harris long jump of 21-0 is historic. Airline's Jeremiah Boudreaux 36 in the 300m hurdles."
Baton Rouge/New Orleans Area
Coach No. 1- "Parkview Baptist's Aiden Monistere and Jesuit's Brady Mullen qualified for NXN. What the hell? That' never been done before. It was incredible. The Louisiana Track and Field Coaches Association recognized John Talley in January before his passing. It was a special time for him and his family and glad that he received his well-deserved flowers while he was still with us. What an influence he was to so many coaches and athletes. Another top story is the registration for the indoor season moving from $15 an athlete to $15 per event. That is going to kill some of the smaller schools from participating who cannot afford it."
Coach No. 2- "Monistere breaking the Highland Road record that's No. 1 for me-truly remarkable. Jesuit's Brady Mullen breaking the 3200m state meet record by such a large margin and doing it in unfavorable conditions. Baton Rouge's LA Lucy Thomas pulling an upset at the LHSAA D1 Girls State Championships. And Jesuit winning their fourth straight team championship. That's never been done."
Coach No. 3- "Jesuit's Brady Mullen's solo sub 9 and Michael Vocke's four-peat in the 1600m. Parkview Baptist's Aiden Monistere senior XC season. And Jesuit--Brother Martin state dual meet...again."
Coach No. 1- "That's a tough one. Jesuit's Brady Mullen outdoor 3200m at state and Parkview Baptist's Aiden Monistere cross country season in general (14:12 at Highland, 14:33 5K at Watson, Southern Showcase runner-up in Huntsville, 25th at NXN. Baton Rouge's Lucy Thomas upset win over Michell Daigle at LHSAA State Cross Country Championships...I'm biased toward the distance events. West Feliciana's Tristen Harris jumping 21-0 at state and Scotlandville's Makeriah Harris leading her team to the state championship sweep."