Big three lead Barbe across finish line

Barbe’s Jarden James runs the hurdles during the 5A district meet at Sam Houston High School in Moss Bluff, Louisiana on Wednesday, April 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Lake Charles American Press, Kirk Meche)

Kirk Meche

MOSS BLUFF — Powered by hurdlers Jarden James and Darrius Wallace, plus sprinter Gage Socha, Barbe successfully defended its District 3-5A track and field championship on Wednesday at Sam Houston High School.

“This year our entire team has competed well, but with those three on the team, it makes a difference,” said Barbe boys head track coach Eric Leblanc. “Those three are all on the 4×400 relay. 

“They come through and fight. District 3-5A is so tough, and when everyone is together competing, you never know what you are going to get. We were just lucky to come out on top.”

The trio accounted for 68.5 of Barbe’s 144.5 points, while New Iberia was the runner-up with 99 points and Sulphur took third with 88.5 points.

James ran a season best in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles to win both events. James was clocked at 14.94 seconds in the 110 and 39.83 in the 300.

Wallace was the runner-up in both hurdles events with a time of 15.43 in the 110 and 40.10 in the 300.

Socha placed in both sprint events and the 400, winning the 400 in a Southwest Louisiana-leading time of 50.46 seconds, knocking off .12 seconds off his previous best. The senior also placed third in the 100 (10.89) and second in the 200 (22.28) to LaGrange’s Trevon DeBoest’s time of 21.85.

The trio also placed second in the 4×400 with teammate Devin Bates with a time of 3:27.56.

Socha won outstanding track honors while Acadiana’s Elisha Sion won outstanding field honors after winning the shot put (48 feet, 11½ inches) and discus (152-8).

Lafayette ran away with the girls team title for the second year in a row, but it was a battle to the last race for the runner-up spot. Barbe held a three-point lead over Sulphur for the second spot heading into the 4×400. Sulphur finished two spots ahead of Barbe in fifth, but needed to finish ahead by three spot giving, Barbe the runner-up trophy, 95-93.

Barbe’s Kodi Traub won the javelin with a throw of 126-6 while Sulphur’s Jalisa Bridges launched a monster throw of 38-10 on her second try to win the shot put.

Sam Houston freshman Halyn Senegal won the 400 (57.57), .44 seconds off the meet record.

Lafayette swept the top girls awards with Madison Chandler taking outstanding field honors and sprinter Maureen Lee won outstanding track honors with wins in the in the 100, 200, 4×100 and 4×200.

SportsPlus

life

‘The Zone’ returns for LC Mardi Gras celebration

Local News

Frigid temperatures expected across SW La. rest of week

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls control own fate

life

Library to host Mardi Gras masks craft project

Local News

DOGE says it has saved taxpayers $55 billion so far

Business

Louisiana Economic Development to create a new AI institute

Crime

2/19: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Crime

Father, son arrested in Valentine’s Day shooting

life

Black History Month, area leaders celebrated at Sulphur High

Local News

Rosary collection from around the world on display

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:School choice has poor history

Local News

WEATHER UPDATE: Severe storms possible overnight

Local News

Town hall meetings, candidate forums, debates planned ahead of March election

Crime

2/18: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Army pays visit to Jennings High showing students cutting-edge vehicles, technology

Local News

Republicans consider cuts and work requirements for Medicaid, jeopardizing care for millions

McNeese Sports

Rain washes away Cowboys’ trip

Local News

Temple: Changes to La. insurance industry won’t be felt overnight

Local News

Dispute over Gulf name may be headed to court

McNeese Sports

Cowboys rally for big win

Crime

Hitman will continue to serve life sentence in Fourth of July murder

Local News

Delta Airlines flight flips over on landing at Toronto’s Pearson Airport and 8 people are hurt

Local News

School Board looks to make up lost time due to snow days

Local News

Jennings councilman wants to change rules for hiring, firing attorney