At the district track meet, Hahnville High School swept the competition, winning both the girls and boys overall titles. For the girls, it was the second consecutive year, while the boys won district for the first time in 40 years, last winning it in 1966.
On the boys’ side, a multitude of athletes excelled at the meet. Junior Marcus Campbell, a triple jumper, was one of the standouts for Coach John Lambert with a jump of 46-1. “Campbell is the Metro leader in that event, and he also scored the most points for us this year,” said Lambert.
Senior Kernell Jupiter won the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles and finished third in the long jump. Senior Dale Berthelot won the 1600-meter and the 3200-meter events, anchoring a well-rounded squad that has speed and endurance.
Coaching Hahnville for 7 years, Lambert reflected on the progress that his group has made throughout the season: “At the beginning the season, we were very young, but it was a good mix of senior leadership that helped lead us.”
Lambert said they struggled early on, coming in fifth place at Thibodeaux in the first week of the season. He said soon after that the squad gelled, winning the next five out of seven meets.
As for surprises, Lambert noted Travis Scott, a senior long jumper: “You could watch his progression throughout the season, culminating at district with a jump of 22-5.”
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of these kids and how hard they worked,” said Lambert.
While the boys were ending a 40-year drought, the girls were dominating the district meet for the second year in a row, receiving 152 points.
In his sixth year, Coach Earl Oestriecher said momentum on the girls’ team has building with each year he has coached.
Freshman Farrah August was Oestriecher’s biggest surprise, filling the void Hahnville had in long distance running. About a month prior, August decided to take up the events. At district, she won the 3,200 and 1,600, while taking second in the 800.
For her efforts, August was named Most Valuable Track Runner at the district meet.
The 1,600-meter relay team comprised of Danielle Douglas, Bianca Turner, Brittany Raymond and Shunta Isaac came out in first. The speedy team recorded one of the fastest times in the state, 4:06.15. “They went to the state meet last year, and we expect them to go there this year; that’s how strong this team is,” said Oestriecher.
In field events, Isaac also won the high jump for the second year in row with a jump of 5-2. Senior Renata Brown won the shot put for the second year in row with throw of 36-2.25.
“These girls are a pleasure to coach. They were district champs last year, and they were determined to do it again,” said Oestriecher.
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