Today, the place to be is Calcasieu Parish. Specifically, the Barbe Buc Relays in Lake Charles. Yesterday, we broke down the boys events. If you missed that article, no worries. You can click the link below and get caught up.
In this article, we are focusing on the girls division where the host school has an absolute star on their hands in senior Kaci Fulton, who is coming off a state indoor championship in the girls shot put.
Fulton is also one of the best in the state in the discus where she has a personal record of ____.
But Fulton isn't the only threat for Barbe. They also have Aubrey Dixon in the shot put and Karlyn Graham in the discus. Both are the the No. 2 seed in their specialties going into today's meet.
The high jump is another event where the Bucs get 18 points by garnering first and second place. Taylor Bennett is the No. 1 seed with a personal record of 5-6 while Aniya Lavan is the No. 2 seed coming in with a best of 5-4.
Both Bennett and Lavan tied for third at last year's LHSAA State Outdoor Meet with jumps of 5-3.75.
Barbe went 1-2 in the girls javelin at the LHSAA State Outdoor Championships last years, but they lost one thrower (Morgan David) to graduation and the returning champion-Maria LaFleur-is not entered.
That opens the door for Iowa's Jeslyn Underwood, who comes into today's meet as the No. 1 seed in the javelin.
Iowa also has the No. 1 seed in the triple jump (Trenati Pitre) and pole vault (Alivia Singletary). Both Pitre and Singletary will be looking to capitalize on the momentum from picking up victory's in Week No. 1 at Iowa's home meet. Pitre won the triple jump with a mark of 17-3.50 while Singletary won the pole vault with a jump of 11-1.
Even though Pitre scored 18 points last week by winning the 100m (12.41) and finishing second in the 200m (25.95), she is not scheduled to compete in the short sprints today.
That opens a door of opportunity for Lake Charles College Prep's Jerny Stevens, who is the No.1 seed in the 100m with a 12.55, and St. Louis Catholic's Demi Reeves, who is tied with South Beauregard's Cebrina Scarlett with the No. 1 seed in the 200m at 26.0.
Last year, the highlight of this meet was the 400m where the host team had Kennedi Burks, arguably the greatest 400m sprinter in Louisiana history. While Burks has graduated and moved on to LSU, the Bucs have freshman Krystin Jean-Louis, who looks to be in the mix in the event. Stevens is the No. 1 seed with a time of 1:00.
Natalie Obluda from St. Louis Catholic is the heavy favorite in the 3200m where she has run a 12:08. She is the No. 2 in the 1600m behind Milah Ballou, but it could be anyone's race as both Saints have run a 5:44.
In the hurdles, LCCP's Dashontae Scott is favored in the 100m hurdles while Jennings junior Addy Edwards is the top seed in the 300m hurdles.
In the relays, it's no surprise that LCCP, led by Stevens, is top seed in both the 4x100m (49,81) and 4x200m (1:45,09). Barbe (4:15.90) has the top time coming into the 4x400m. Sulphur (11:29.71)is the favorite to win the 4x800.