Ouachita sophomore Gabriella Glover pulled the upset at Region 1-5A Championships when she beat veteran sprinters-Airline's Jaycie Wallace (11.94) and Lafayette's Khia Williams (11.94). And while Glover's 11.70 may have been wind aided, it still raises some eyebrows from elite female sprinters across the state.
That list includes Destrehan's Marley Richard, who will be competing in her final LHSAA State Outdoor Championships before continuing her career at LSU. Richard won the Region 3-5A Championships with a season best of 12.00.
Zachary's Talar Johnson (12.14) has bounced back after a sophomore year plagued with injuries and finds herself back at the LHSAA State Outdoor Meet 100m where she finished her fantastic freshman season.
Other sprinters to watch in 5A include St. Joseph's Baton Rouge Alexandria Stewart (12.25) and Warren Easton's Daijah Robertson (12.44), both who finished as the runner-up at regionals. Stewart was the runner-up in Region 2 and Robertson was the runner-up in Region 3.
Richard and Glover pulled the sprint double at regionals. Glover won the Region 1-5A 200m with a 24.11. Richard (24.35) was the Region 3-5A champion in the 200m. Stewart was the Region 2-5A champion in the 200m with a time of 24.61.
Looking for a future star in the 5A girls sprints? Look no further than Liberty Magnet's Destiny Harrison (12.29), who is the fastest freshman in Louisiana. First-year head coach Kevin Jackson has been impressed with Harrison's work ethic on and off the track since taking over the program during the off season.
In 4A, West Feliciana's Tristen Harris looks to put an exclamation point on an incredible high school career. Harris won both the 100m (11.87) and 200m (24.25) at the Region 2-4A Championships.
Last year, Harris, who is a University of South Carolina signee, pulled the sprint double at the LHSAA Class 4A State Outdoor Championships with time of 11.56 and 24.13.
Fighting for spots on the podium will be Harris' fellow sprinters from Region 2- Broadmoor's Taylor Hankton, Brusly's Taylor Gougisha.
Look for the winners in the sprints to come out of Region 2 in Class 3A. South Beauregard sophomore Cebrina Scarlett had the fastest time in regional action winning with a time of 12.07. The second and third place sprinters in the region-Lake Charles College Prep's Akia Jackson and Madison Prep's Lyric Walker both had faster time than the winning time in Region 3.
One sprinter to keep an eye on out of Region 1 is Mamou's Kyrionna Ardoin. The senior won regionals with a time of 12.19.
St. Louis High Hannah Boullion is the only sprinter in 3A who ran sub 25.00 in the 200m at regionals. She won the Region 2-3A championships with a time of 24.92. Of course, Bouillon, who has signed to continue her career at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, is a three-time state champion in the 400m and will look to win her fourth on next Saturday.
In Class 2A, be on the look out for two super sophomores out of Region 1. Mansfield's LaJordan Boykins was the only sprinter to break 12.00 at regionals. She won the 100m with a time of 11.97. The runner-up in the 100m (12.04)--and champion in the 200m (24.94)--was North Caddo sophomore Nasiyah Collins.
The top three qualifying time in 1A all came out of Region 1. Leading the way is an eighth grader--Block's Janiyah Alexander (12.07). Right behind her at the regional meet were Jonesboro Hodge's Zu'Wy'Nesha Johnson (12.08) and Northwood Lena's Alaya Cornett (12.25).
Other sprinters to watch in 1A include Vermilion Catholic senior Marley Moore, who won the sprint double at the Region 2-1A Championships. Moore won the 100m (12.85) and then came back at the end of the meet to take 200m (25.86).
Delhi freshman Arlescia Howard won the Region 1-1A championships in the 200m with a 25.56.
In Class B, Bell City Azhia Stewart is definitely one to watch. Stewart won both the 100m (13.43) and the 200m (27.56) at the Region 3-B Championships.
However, the Menyweather girls from Choudrant have the fastest qualifying times in Class B. Jakayla Menyweather is the only sprinter in Class B who ran under 13.00 at regionals. She won the regional meet with a time of 12.84. Aakayla Menyweather won the 200m with a 27.37.
Johnson Bayou's Lydia Trahan and Starks Sadie Barrow, and Phoenix's Christian Bailey are sprinters to watch in Class C.