HIGHLAND BAPTIST IS RECOGNIZED FRIDAY NIGHT FOR HIS WIN
The first big race of the Louisiana high school cross country season took place under the Friday Night Lights on the campus of the University of New Orleans. When the dust settled at the Battle for New Orleans Twilight on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, there were a couple of the Louisiana's best who broke the tape and came away with wins.
Highland Baptist's Tyler Blissett picked up a season-opening win to kick off his senior year. Blissett ran a 15:45, almost 45 seconds ahead of David Thibodaux's Emerson Cullen (16:29).
"It was a great start to the season," Blissett said. "We have a good group of guys this year and I am excited to see what we can do as a a team. I felt comfortable. It was a good way to start the season all around."
On the girls' side, Baton Rouge Magnet's defending LHSAA Division I state champion Lucy Thomas ran a 18:15. The Willow School's Emma Aldana Huelga (18:52) was the runner-up.
Central Lafourche won the boys' team title with a score of 44 points, 39 more than runner-up St. Thomas More. STM (45), led by junior Mia Cestia (19:49), won the girls' division by holding off a pesky Baton Rouge Magnet team (53) points.