Teurlings Catholic had been knocking at the door, and Saturday the Lady Rebels finally broke through.
Only the day’s storms could delay — but not deter — the program’s drive for its first-ever state championship, as the the 4×800-meter team broke a Louisiana composite record in the first track event once lightning finally cleared the area.
And the runnin’ Rebels didn’t often, if ever, slow down much from there on their way to 74 team points to top the Class 4A standings in which The Willow School (52) and North DeSoto (44) most closely challenged.
“Coming into the state meet, we really wanted to get first, so when I got the baton in fourth, moved to fifth, I really just wanted to finish and to do it for my team,” sophomore Aaryam Saleh, the third leg of the 4×800, said after anchoring a winning 4×400-meter that tied the final bow on the title. “And we did it. I hawked ’em down last year, so I knew I could do it again, and I just gave it my all for my last race.”
Freshman Scarlett James and junior Mia Lemaire ran the first two legs of the 4×800-meter, and junior Abigail Leger anchored the record run.
Leger then won both the 800-meter (2:15.72) and 1600-meter (5:06.99) races, and Saleh added third-place finishes in the 400-meter (57.74 seconds) and 800-meter (2:19.29) and ran legs of both relays.
Freshman Londyn Viator (114-01) and senior Mary Guidry (111-01) went 1-2 in the javelin for another huge event to help Teurlings Catholic open up its lead in the standings.
“I’m so excited, and I’m excited that I got to podium with our senior, Mary Rose Guidry,” Viator said. “I love her so much.”
Junior Maci Sheppard added fifth-place points in both the 100-meter (12.46 seconds) and 200-meter (26.17 seconds) dashes.
Sophomore Ziree Broussard and senior Olivia Godchaux joined James and Saleh in the final 4×400-meter relay.
North DeSoto sophomore Lyric Spencer earned Outstanding Performer honors with golds in the long jump (18-07.75), triple jump (38-03.50) and 200-meter dash (25.32 seconds) and a fourth-place finish in the 100-meter dash (12.39 seconds).
“I’m really grateful for this community,” Spencer said. “They’re so helpful. I’m so grateful. Always believed in me no matter what. I had all these injuries. They never left my side. They always believed in me. They saw my potential. And I’m just forever grateful to be in Stonewall, coming down here to support the 318 and bringing it back home to ’em. I’m a three-time state champion, and I’m coming home and bringing it back.”