logo
LCCP wins second consecutive regional track title

LCCP wins second consecutive regional track title

American Press29-04-2025

Lake Charles College Prep's Kalen Antoine won the 300-meter hurdles in 40.04 seconds on Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Region 3A-II track and field championship at McNeese State University. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)
Big points in the field events staked Lake Charles College Prep to an early lead to claim the boys team title at Region 3A-II track and field championships on Monday at McNeese State.
LCCP finished with 124 points, while defending Class 3A state champion Glen Oaks was the runner-up with 79 points.
The Trailblazers scored 42 points between the high, long and triple jump and led the rest of the field by 22 points before the running events started. Cameron Brazzle and Braylen White (45-3) went 1-2 in the triple jump. Brazzle's career-best jump of 45 feet, 7 ¼ inches moved to the top of the Class 3A rankings.
Jaiven Matthews won the high jump with a height of 6-2, while Jordan Dugas was third at 6 feet. William Plaster took third in the long jump (21-9).
The Trailblazers went into cruise control on the track. They scored a combined 60 points in the 100-meter dash, 4×200 relay, 4×100 relay, 400 and 300 hurdles to build an insurmountable lead on Glen Oaks to win its second consecutive regional title.
Ayden Carter won the 100 with a career-best 10.62-second run, while Kalen Antoine won the 300 hurdles in 40.04.
LCCP won the 4×100 (42.57) and 4×200 (1:28.27) relays led by Kai Fontenot, Braylen White, Derrick White and Carter.
On the girls side, St. Louis Catholic placed third or better in all four relay events and Hannah Boullion won the 200 (24.93) and 400 dash (56.42), but it wasn't enough to stop Parkview Baptist from winning its second consecutive team title. Parkview scored 107 points, while St. Louis Catholic finished with 89.5.
Boullion's win the 400 gave the Saints a 4.5 point lead over the Eagles, but over the next two events – the 300 hurdles and 800 run – Parkview made a 20-point swing to take the lead. The key was a 1-2 finish in the 800 by Lucy Cramer (2:17.44) and Georgia Theriot (2:18.13).
South Beauregard's Cebrina Scarlett moved up to No. 2 in Class 3A in the 100 dash with a time of 12.07 seconds.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Naperville North's Lucy Fitzgerald wears No. 11, like her sisters did. She nearly wins it all, which Nora did.
Naperville North's Lucy Fitzgerald wears No. 11, like her sisters did. She nearly wins it all, which Nora did.

Chicago Tribune

time3 hours ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Naperville North's Lucy Fitzgerald wears No. 11, like her sisters did. She nearly wins it all, which Nora did.

Naperville North's Lucy Fitzgerald had to wait a long time to get regular playing time. Fitzgerald didn't make the varsity team until her junior year and only earned a starting spot about two months ago. But the senior defender never came off the field during her final game — the Class 3A state championship game, which went to double overtime Saturday night. 'It really meant so much to me because at the beginning of the year I didn't start,' she said. 'Throughout the year, I've just been working my hardest, and to be able to play all 100 minutes on the field feels really good.' There were tears in Fitzgerald's eyes, of course, because O'Fallon halted Naperville North's stirring playoff run. The Huskies' 1-0 loss at North Central College in Naperville also ended an era. Fitzgerald is the last of three sisters to play for the Huskies (17-6-3), whose underdog run to the final was reminiscent of the 2019 state championship team that included her oldest sister, Nora. Both wore No. 11. Their sister Maggie Fitzgerald, who graduated from Naperville North in 2023 and flew into town to attend the game, wore No. 11 and No. 19 during her time. 'To have Maggie come back and surprise her sister at the state championship game, that's just what makes this program special,' Naperville North coach Steve Goletz said. 'Families like the Fitzgeralds, the DeCooks, the Polaviejas, the Bueschers, there's a reason these girls were where they were. 'Nobody thought that this team would be in the state championship tonight outside of our group.' The Huskies had no Division I recruits except Tennessee-bound junior forward Claire DeCook, who played her last game because she will graduate early, and Minnesota-bound senior defender Emily Buescher. But Lucy Fitzgerald was respected for her grit and perseverance. 'Something that's incredibly special about Lucy is just her willingness to work all the time, and she never lets that negative feeling overcome her,' Buescher said. 'Every time she's given a chance, she proves that she deserves it. 'We do an awards banquet before the year ends, and her thing was most improved player because there were days when she would stay 40 to 50 minutes after practice. She would ask for me to stay or for other people to stay to help her with certain things.' Buescher, whose sister Katelynn captained the Huskies to third place in 2018 before playing at Illinois and Illinois State, added that Fitzgerald's work rate pushes teammates too. 'It makes it so easy to work hard when you're next to Lucy because you know how hard she's working,' Buescher said. 'Our last game, she absolutely saved us, so it's so easy to cheer her on because she's such a special person and a special player.' Goletz said Fitzgerald showed that Saturday, helping the Huskies hold the Panthers (23-1-1) scoreless for almost 90 minutes until Allie Tredway scored on a 22-yard rocket with 5.7 seconds left in the first overtime. 'Lucy's an incredible kid, a kid that ran the process of being in this program,' Goletz said. 'The reason you play state championship games is because you have kids who care more about the program than they do themselves. 'Lucy was such a rock back there. She was a great target on restarts, and tonight she's put on an island at times 1v1, moves her feet well.' Like most of her teammates, Fitzgerald will not play in college. But she cemented her family's legacy and set a great example. 'It's a tough thing for a high school kid to check your own ego at the door and continue to fight for your teammates,' Goletz said. 'Lucy did that day in and day out for four years, and for her to step in at the moment she had the opportunity this year and seize that spot in the back made us better.' Although her sisters' varsity careers were longer than hers, the 6-foot Fitzgerald is the tallest and strongest. But like them, she walked off the field in a Naperville North uniform for the final time having given her all and leaving behind no regrets before she heads to Tennessee, where she can cheer on DeCook. 'I feel like it was a good ending, a happy ending,' Fitzgerald said. 'Even though it's sad that it's over, I'm really happy I got to do it with this team with every single one of the girls.'

Addison Housh followed Antioch's 2024 run on social media. ‘It's completely different now.' Not for the team.
Addison Housh followed Antioch's 2024 run on social media. ‘It's completely different now.' Not for the team.

Chicago Tribune

time13 hours ago

  • Chicago Tribune

Addison Housh followed Antioch's 2024 run on social media. ‘It's completely different now.' Not for the team.

Antioch sophomore right fielder Addison Housh likes her new vantage point. A year ago, when she played on the junior varsity team, Housh said she watched the Sequoits' run to second place in Class 3A via social media. 'I didn't even go to state, but I paid attention and was really excited for the team,' she said. This season, Housh is one of three Addisons on the varsity team — along with junior catcher Addison Webb and freshman pitcher Addison Osborne – but is making a name for herself and making an impact for the Sequoits. Housh delivered two key hits late in the Class 3A Grayslake Central championship game on Saturday as top-seeded Antioch outlasted second-seeded Carmel for a 13-9 victory. 'It's completely different now for me,' she said. 'I never would have thought that I would be here, making it this far. It's really exciting, and I'm so happy to be playing for this team. It's been really exciting this year.' Like the past four years, the Sequoits (24-13) are sectional champions and will play Prairie Ridge (27-1-1) in the Kaneland Supersectional at 4:30 p.m. Monday with a chance to return to the state semifinals for the fourth straight season. Junior first baseman Sam Hillner led Northern Lake County Conference champion Antioch's offense with four hits, including two homers, and four RBIs. Webb added two hits and three RBIs. Senior shortstop Grace Brown, a St. Joseph's recruit, led Carmel (20-10) with a single, a home run and two RBIs. Housh was heavily involved, too, in a game when the Sequoits needed runs to hold off the high-powered Corsairs, who scored three in each of the fourth, six and seventh innings. She hit a rocket line drive over the third baseman's head on the first pitch of her at-bat in the sixth inning to stretch Antioch's lead to 13-6. She also hit a deep double to left field. 'I was excited to contribute,' Housh said. 'I didn't get hits early in the game, so I knew I had to swing at the first pitch because it was going to be a strike and swing as hard as I could. It was really cool and nice. I want to do the best I can for the team.' Antioch coach Anthony Rocco said Housh is one of several first-year players who have helped bridge the gap after graduation losses. 'Housh does a great job and can play third base for us and also help out at second base,' Rocco said. 'She started the year in a bit of a funk but came back strong. She barely strikes out, which is why we like her in the lineup. She has great power with the ability to drive the ball to all fields. She's also a very good base runner and stealer. 'Her hitting today was key. She was very patient and did a great job for us.' Housh, who also played on the JV volleyball team in the fall, said she has adapted to a new position in the outfield. 'I usually play third base,' she said. 'It's fun. I love outfield, always loved it. It's definitely different, but I'm excited to be playing and supporting the team.' Antioch sophomore outfielder Tegan Schuler said Housh hasn't missed a beat in right. 'She has stepped up a lot on our team,' Schuler said. 'She's able to do a lot of positions and is very athletic, and we have good chemistry in the outfield.' Antioch sophomore second baseman Alyna Matarieh played on the JV team with Housh last season, and they have helped the Sequoits overcome an 0-6 start. 'It's so cool to see Addison succeed in our batting order and help our team out today,' Matarieh said.

Cathedral catcher is eyes, brain behind Irish defense: 'There's nobody better back there'
Cathedral catcher is eyes, brain behind Irish defense: 'There's nobody better back there'

Indianapolis Star

time2 days ago

  • Indianapolis Star

Cathedral catcher is eyes, brain behind Irish defense: 'There's nobody better back there'

There's an unspoken language between a catcher, pitcher and the infield that allows Cathedral backstop Bo Cooper to control the defense from behind the plate. All it takes is a look toward first baseman Eli Bennett, and Bennett knows a back-pick may be on. Cooper and Bennett have to be on the same page, but it's up to the pitcher to hit his spot, allowing Cooper to be in position to make the throw to first. Controlling the opposition's running game, calling pitches, corralling balls in the dirt and throwing out runners are all things Cooper does at a high level. His baseball IQ and ability to quickly process the game has the Fighting Irish three wins away from Victory Field and an appearance in the Class 3A state championship. "Me and Eli have been playing together ever since we were 13, so we have that trust and confidence in each other," Cooper said. "He's my eyes from what I can't see out on the field," added pitcher Ethan Dorsey of Cooper. "I've known him since we were little, so we have that bond and trust, I know if he's setting up outside that maybe something is going on because he can see stuff that I don't." During Monday's sectional championship game against Bishop Chatard, Dorsey, Cooper and Bennett executed a perfect back-pick, nabbing a runner who wandered too far off first base, eliminating the Trojans' scoring threat. The play is just one of 21 outs, but it can demoralize the opposition. Cooper took to catching at a young age. He got pointers from his grandparents' neighbor growing up, helping ignite his passion for the position. The 6-foot, 195-pound senior has all the intangibles of a starting catcher, but he had to wait his turn at Cathedral. Cooper played behind former IndyStar Super Team member J.T. Stiner, formerly of UNC-Wilmington, now at Wabash Valley. The two formed a bond during their years together and Cooper credits Stiner with helping him grow as a catcher. "J.T.'s always been awesome. He's a great baseball player and a great dude," Cooper said. "He did a good job with me, just Batman and Robin, taking me under his wing and helping me out. He battled through adversity with some throwing issues, and we became super close throughout that process. "He knew that I loved him, and he loved me, and we were going to do whatever we could to help the team and get after it behind the plate. Making sure that the catching spot was a leadership role, we did our part and did that together." Through 28 games Cooper is batting .354 with 18 RBIs, four doubles, one triple and seven stolen bases. Behind the plate, Cooper has a .979 fielding percentage. He's committed to play at St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, Missouri next season. "There's nobody better back there," Cathedral coach Ed Freije said. "He's been patient for four years and waited his turn to be back there. I couldn't be prouder of a guy. I couldn't tell you a guy I have more trust in back there than him. "He just goes and works; he just goes and plays. That's the kind of kid he is. ... We've got the utmost trust in him, and he's got the utmost trust in himself and that goes a long way."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store