JOURNAL STAFF
There was no shortage of top-caliber candidates for the individual honors on the inaugural Shreveport-Bossier Journal All-Metro Girls Track & Field Team.
That made for a spirited debate, but Airline’s Brianna Taylor and Huntington’s sophomore sensation Demetria Harris were the competitors selected by a panel of Journal staff, local coaches and track and field observers.
Huntington’s Joan Catanese was the pick as the All-Metro Coach of the Year.
SBJ All-Metro Girls Track & Field Team
RUNNING EVENTS (distances are metric)
100
Southwood’s Rondisia Williams – 11.90 (3rd in LHSAA Class 5A state meet)
Best of the rest: Airline’s Brianna Taylor – 12.12 (4th in LHSAA Class 5A state meet)
200
Southwood’s Rondisia Williams -24.15 (3rd in LHSAA Class 5A state meet)
Best of the rest: Airline’s Brianna Taylor – 24.45 (4th in LHSAA Class 5A state meet)
400
Airline’s Brianna Taylor – 57.30 (2nd in LHSAA Class 5A state meet)
Best of the rest: Benton’s Erykah Pepp – 1:01.27 (6th in Region I-5A Meet)
800
Byrd’s Laila Wells – 2:29.27
Best of the rest: Southwood’s Marshala Robinson – 2:31.24
1600
Benton’s Isabelle Russell – 5:28.81
Best of the rest: Parkway’s Cheyene Olson – 5:42.06, Byrd’s Hudson Roberts – 5:42.76
3200
Byrd’s Jenna Key – 11:33.37
Best of the rest: Byrd’s Hudson Roberts 11:59.38
100 hurdles
Huntington’s Demetria Harris – 14.49
Best of the rest: Benton’s Jamie Willis – 14.59
300 hurdles
Benton’s Jamie Willis – 47.43
Best of the rest: Huntington’s Catina Davenport – 49.54
400 relay
Parkway – 48.11
Best of the rest: Southwood – 49.28
800 relay
Parkway – 1:42.61
Best of the rest: Airline – 1:44.91
1600 relay
Southwood – 4:11.32
Best of the rest: Captain Shreve 4:14.81
3200 relay
Byrd – 10:19.62
Best of the rest: Loyola College Prep – 10:44.13
FIELD EVENTS
High jump
Huntington’s Serenity Palmer – 5-4 (jumped her best when it counted, finishing 2nd in the LHSAA Class 4A State Meet)
Best of the rest: Airline’s Arriana Hill – 5-4 (best mark at the Airline Relays)
Triple jump
Benton’s Jamie Willis – 36-6
Best of the rest: Huntington’s Catina Davenport – 35-7.25
Long jump
Huntington’s Demetria Harris – 18-7
Best of the rest: Benton’s Jamie Willis – 17-6
Shot put
Parkway’s Jayla James – 36-0 (Only a sophomore)
Best of the rest: Parkway’s Amoree Williams – 33-11
Javelin
Parkway’s Chloe Lary -127-1 (Region I-5A Meet)
Best of the rest: Haughton’s Brooklyn Bockhaus – 109-9 (Bossier Parish Championships); and Benton’s Sadie Hamby – 109-9 (District 1-5A Meet)
Discus
Parkway’s Mikaylah Williams – 125-9
Best of the rest: Benton’s Sadie Hamby – 111-4
Pole vault
Airline’s Jessie Frank – 10-0 (District I-5A champion)
Best of the rest: Benton’s Addyson Hulett – 9-0 (District I-5A runner-up)
TOP HONORS
Performance of the Year – Airline’s Brianna Taylor
After missing most of the season due to injury, Taylor took district, got through regionals and finished 4th in both the 100 and 200 meters at the LHSAA Championships, but the highlight of her final high school track meet was getting on the podium and receiving the silver medal for her performance in the 400 (57.30).
Athlete of the Year – Huntington’s Demetria Harris
Only a sophomore, she won MVP honors at the LHSAA Class 4A State Outdoor Meet after scoring 32 points. She won the 100 (12.11) and 100 hurdles (14.49), and finished third in both the long jump (16-11.5) and 200 (25.08). She led the Lady Raiders to a Region I-4A championship, winning all four events. It was the second time in as many weeks as she accomplished the same feat at the District 1-4A Meet.
Coach of the Year – Huntington’s Joan Catanese
She led the Lady Raiders to a third-place finish in the LHSAA Class 4A State Outdoor Meet. Huntington scored 59 points, 36 from sophomore Demetria Harris.
Photo by JERRY BYRD