Marley Richard brought a state crown back to Destrehan with her championship performance in the long jump at Saturday’s state championship track and field meet, leading a group of talented St. Charles Parish athletes at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium.
Richard’s leap of 5-53 meters sealed the state’s long jump championship. She also finished on the podium in the triple jump with a mark of 11-17 meters, good for 3rd place. Richard also finished 5th in the 100 (12.24) and 5th in the 200 (25.51).
Qualifying for four different events at state is extraordinary enough, but Richard added a second state championship to the sophomore’s growing list of accomplishments – she captured the indoor triple jump crown earlier this school year.
“I’ve worked really hard at practice …it felt good to know it had paid off,” Richard said.
DHS girls coach Lynette Matthews said Richard was dealing with some hamstring tightness during the week leading up to the championship, but that there was little doubt the star would be ready to give her all at LSU.
Richard concurred.
“I knew for the goals I had in mind, I had to push through,” Richard said.
Matthews said she knew Richard hoped for a higher finish in her other events, but could nonetheless leave the track with no regrets.
“She’s a fierce competitor,” said Matthews. “She’ll compete tired, hurt, whatever it takes because she’s driven. At the state level, she knew this was the last dance this year and she was gonna give it her all. She did that for sure.”
Fellow Ladycat Ivie Mashia took 5th place in the 400 (57.96). Bryonna Jackson finished 9th in the long jump (4-39).
The Destrehan boys 4×800 relay team (Edwin Portillo, Matthew Duffy, Brady Napolitano and Evan Virdure) finished ninth (8:30.76).
Hahnville’s Mallory Whitaker finished 5th in the girls pole vault (3-19). Madison Bailey finished 6th in the 100 (12.43) and 400 (58.58). Dihlynn Mitchell finished 7th in the 300 meter hurdles (47.78).
Ryan Abadie of HHS was 6th in the boys pole vault (3-80).
The Destrehan girls finished ninth in the state as a team – no doubt exciting for a young team that will return everyone next season.
Scotlandville captured the state 5A girls crown, while Catholic High earned top honors among boys.
Richard was the Region 3-5A champion in the 100 (12.18), 200 (24.98), long jump (19-04.75) and triple jump (38-09).
Mashia was runner up in the girls 400 (58.23), while Jackson took 3rd in the region in the long jump (17-01).
The DHS 4×800 boys team took 3rd place at the regional (8:19.74).
Hahnville’s Ryan Abadie won the boys regional pole vault with a mark of 13-00.
Among other Hahnville competitors on the boys’ side, Alavan Sam took runner-up in the triple jump (44-05). Cincere Simmons was 3rd in the shot put (46-00.75).
The Lady Tigers’ Madison Bailey was regional champion in the girls 400 (57.49).
Madison Bailey was runner-up for the girls 100 (12.55), while Dihlynn Mitchell was 3rd in the 300 meter hurdles (48.07). Mallory Whitaker was 3rd in the high jump (5-00) and pole vault (10-00).
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