WILL LCCP TAKE HOME THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP HARDWARE ON SATURDAY NIGHT?
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Will the Lake Charles College Prep boys be able to make it two in a row? A quick look at the LHSAA Division II boys' rankings seems to suggest the Trailblazers are the odds-on favorite.
Last year, LCCP was able to pull off something that no other school in the state could accomplish. The Trailblazers were a perfect 3-0 in the relay races at the LHSAA state indoor championships.
Coach Jackie Rhine's team needed the unprecedented relay point production in order to be able to hold off a pesky Glen Oaks team (51 points), which finished second-by four points.
This year, there is no shortage of speed on the Trailblazers roster. Junior Kai Fontenot is ranked No. 3 in Louisiana behind University's Erin Moore (6.85) and St. Martin's Episcopal Corbin Nicoladis (7.03).
But Fontenot isn't the only speedster. LCCP also has Derrick White (No. 5; 7.13) and Ayden Carter (7.15), who both rank in the Top 6 sprinters in Division II.
With that type of speed, it's no surprise the Trailblazers lead Division II in the 4x200m with a time of 1:30.80. The closest competition for LCCP will be Glen Oaks, who is ranked No. 2 with a time of 1:32.88.
Winning all three relays...again...is not out of the question for the Trailblazers. LCCP (3:34) is ranked No. 2 in the 4x400m behind state-leader Glen Oaks (3:28), and the Trailblazers (8:45) are ranked No. 3 in the 4x800m behind Episcopal (8:19) and Glen Oaks (8:21).
In the field events, LCCP is led by William Plaster, who is the only long jumper in Division II who has jumped over 22 feet. He has a season best of 22-7.75 at the LSU High School Qualifier.
LCCP has two high jumpers who will be fighting for a trip to the podium. Senior Jordan Dugas is ranked No. 4 with a season best of 6-2. Junior David Thomas is ranked No. 6 with a best of 6-0.
Should LCCP falter, here are three teams who could be in the mix...
1 Glen Oaks -- The state champions in 2024 and runner-up in 2025, the Panthers have a plethora of talent including Ethan Washington, who is one of the most dangerous long sprinters/middle distance runners in Louisiana. Washington is ranked No. 3 in DII in both the 400m (50.14) and 800m (1:58)
2. University Lab -- The Cubs have the fastest high school sprinter in Division II with Erin Moore and they also have the best shot putter in Division II with Lamar Brown. The distance group is led by Max Tsolakis, who should score points in the both the 1600m and 3200m. You could find the Cubs on the podium after any of the three relays. There best shot is the 4x200m and 4x400m. They are ranked No. 3 in both. In the 4x800m University Lab is ranked No. 6.
3. Episcopal--You know that Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee Claney Duplechin and Bill Jones are going to have their Episcopal athletes ready to compete. We saw that at the LSU Last Chance Qualifier when William Foster Lambert hobbled back to the line after getting run over in the first attempt to start the race. Foster Lambert answered with a 1:56, which is the best time of any Division II runner this year.