Destrehan’s Jala Richard finished second in the girls triple jump and in the long jump to pace local competitors at the Class 5A state track and field championship meet at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium last weekend, while fellow Wildcat Kristian Mosley took a second place finish in the boys 200 meters. Richard’s marks of 37-08.25 and 18-01.25 in the triple and long jumps, respectively, were good for state runner-up finishes in both categories as the sophomore led a strong DHS contingent this season.
“She’s hard on herself, but she certainly did well in my eyes,” Destrehan girls track and field coach Lynette Matthews said. “You place second in those two events as a sophomore and that’s really saying something.”
Matthews noted that Richard got a late start to this year’s track and field season after helping spur the Lady Wildcats soccer team to the postseason. She didn’t begin jumping in meets until about the middle of the season.
But once she did, it didn’t take her long to reach her peak level. She finished fourth in both the long jump and triple jump at last year’s state meet. This time, she found her way to the winner’s podium.
“Now, she’s looking to make that last push next year,” Matthews said. “She wants to be state champion and we all want it for her.”
Mosley was part of that group as well, his time of 21.29 securing a spot on the winner’s podium and wrapping up a strong season for the sprinter.
Like Richard, Mosley performed well but is still hungry for more.
“He made a big improvement from last year, but the competitor that Kristian is, he’s not satisfied at all,” Destrehan boys track and field coach Tim Taffi said.
“He’s already talking about next year. He wants to be state champion.”
Two boys relay squads from Destrehan also placed fourth in state. The 4×100 team of Jayce Brown, Mike Young, Mark Trahan and Mosley recorded a time of 42.02, while the 4×200 team of Will Sirmon, Alvin Joseph, Kendall Anderson and Mosley finished in 1:28.47.
“We ran our best times, but when you get to state, you have to pretty much be perfect,” Taffi said. “Everything has to fall into place. We came close on the 4×2, (as) Kristian almost caught the guy for third place. But you have to bring you’re A-plus game. Everything has to fall into place. It was a good performance, but we were just off the podium.”
For Hahnville, Anthony Williams and Jazmine Young were the top finishers. Williams’ high jump of 6-04 netting him third place, while Young’s overall mark of 121-09 secured third in the javelin.
Hahnville track and field coach Chris Stroud said Williams, a sophomore, nearly hit an even higher mark.
“He had 6’6 on his last jump and as he is on the pit, the bar is bouncing in slow motion up and down and falls off,” Stroud said. “He takes his 5’9 frame and flops 6’4, then that last jump … Anthony is incredible.”
A junior, Young set a personal and school record in the javelin.
“Her first time at state and a third place on the podium. We’re very proud of her,” Stroud said. “She also just missed state in the discus and shot put.
“We could see her qualify for state in three events in her senior season.”
HHS and DHS results from 5A state meet
Girls
Javelin: 3. Jazmine Young, HHS, 121-09
1600: 7. Emily Blanchard, HHS, 5:47.92
3200: 5. Emily Blanchard, HHS, 12:08.18
Triple jump: 2. Jala Richard, DHS, 37-08.25
Pole vault: 9. Melanie Madere, HHS, 8-00
300 meter hurdles: 6. Ashlyn Jack, HHS, 48.27
Long jump: 2. Jala Richard, DHS, 18-01.25
High jump: 9. Karianna Wilson, DHS, NH
Boys
4×200: 4. Destrehan (Will Sirmon, Alvin Joseph, Kendall Anderson and Kristian Mosley), 1:28.47.
4×100: 4. Destrehan (Jayce Brown, Mike Young, Mark Trahan and Kristian Mosley), 42.02; 8. Hahnville (Devonte Cravin, Michael Gray, Anthony Williams and Eric Gilmore), 43.39
200: 2. Kristian Mosley, DHS, 21.29
High jump: 3. Anthony Williams, HHS, 6-04; 8. Quinten Torbore, DHS, 6-00
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