LHSAA 2A STATE MEET: Meet Preview

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association Class 2A Outdoor Track and Field Championships are set for Friday at Bernie Moore Track Stadium, with balanced fields and multiple contenders across events.

Sprints Kinder's Daniel Grainger (10.95) and North Caddo's Braden Carter (10.97) headline a tightly packed boys 100-meter dash. Lafayette Christian's Brayden Allen (11.02) and Red River's Lathyn Lewis (11.05) are within striking distance. Carter and Allen return in the 200, where Slaughter Community Charter's Ty'Kimion Ford leads at 22.24, followed closely by Allen (22.31) and Mangham's Kenneth Mitchell (22.33).

On the girls side, Mansfield's LaJordan Boykin (12.24) and Lafayette Renaissance's Rylii Goodie (12.42) lead the 100 and are also the top two seeds in the 200 (24.93, 25.00).

Hurdles Episcopal's Wynn Turner (15.11) is the top seed in the boys 110 hurdles, with South Plaquemines' Sabryn Bartholomew (15.40) close behind. The two flip positions in the 300 hurdles, where Bartholomew leads at 39.67 and Turner sits at 40.06.

Notre Dame's Mary Ellen Trahan (14.46) is the clear favorite in the girls 100 hurdles and also leads the 300 hurdles (44.38).

Distance The boys 1600 features Episcopal's William Foster Lambert (4:32.34) and Isidore Newman's Logan DeGruy (4:32.92) in a near dead heat. Lafayette Christian's Talan Sievers (4:34.76) is also a contender and leads the 3200 (10:08.50), followed by Episcopal's Mason Kelly (10:11.78). Notre Dame sophomore Wyatt Price is ranked third with a time of 10:19.

Episcopal controls the boys 800 with Foster Lambert (2:01.24) and Daniel Piazza (2:01.45) leading the field.

In the girls distance events, Metairie Park Country Day's Varenka Zhuk leads the 1600 (5:08.83) and is entered in the 800, where teammate Colette Alvarado (2:18.22) holds the top seed. Episcopal's Neva Lambert (11:57.96) leads the 3200.

Relays Lafayette Christian is positioned to score heavily, leading the boys 4x100 (42.49) and 4x200 (1:28.75), while also ranking second in the 4x400 (3:29.67). Ouachita Christian leads the 4x400 (3:28.10), and Rosepine holds the top 4x800 seed (8:26.14).

On the girls side, Lafayette Christian leads the 4x100 (49.74) and 4x400 (4:09.08). Lafayette Renaissance tops the 4x200 (1:44.29), while Episcopal and Metairie Park Country Day are nearly even in the 4x800.

Field Events Metairie Park Country Day's Isaac Herzenberg is the top seed in both the boys discus (156-9) and javelin (205-4), giving him a strong double opportunity. Isidore Newman's Dylan Kolenovsky is second in both events.

East Feliciana's Ke'Shaun Toney leads the long jump (23-8) and is also a contender in the high jump. Delhi Charter's Tayven Carter tops the triple jump (47-1.75).

In the boys shot put, Avoyelles' Kobe Smith (52-10.25) leads a tight field that includes Lafayette Christian's Kaleb Campbell (50-6.50) and Kolenovsky (50-1).

For the girls, Delcambre's Emma Smith (5-10) leads the high jump and is also entered in the hurdles. Episcopal's Zoey Hodges (19-0) leads the long jump. Lafayette Christian's Laila Hudson tops the shot put (37-2.25).

Outlook Lafayette Christian and Episcopal appear positioned to contend for team titles on both sides, with depth across relays and distance events. Mansfield, Slaughter Community Charter and Metairie Park Country Day also bring multiple top seeds, setting up what could turn out to be an instant classic state outdoor championship meet which comes down to the final event.