Deaf Today: LSD should compete in Class C title chase

May 7, 2004

LSD should compete in Class C title chase

From: Baton Rouge Advocate, LA - May 7, 2004

By ROBIN FAMBROUGH
rfambrough@theadvocate.com
Advocate sportswriter

There was a tendency to think things were about as good as they could get when Louisiana School for the Deaf narrowly missed winning the Class C girls track title last spring.

The fact the Eagles graduated four-event winner Tiffany Hargrove seemed to make the chance for success in 2004 less likely.

As LSD coach Chip Stirling cautiously notes, the Eagles are back and figure to be in contention in both the boys and girls divisions on the second day of the State Farm/Louisiana High School Athletic Association Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

The meet for Classes B and C starts at 12:15 p.m. with field events at LSU's Bernie Moore Track Stadium. Running events begin at 5 p.m.

The three-day meet concludes Saturday with teams in Classes 3A, 4A and 5A set to begin competition at 8:15 a.m. for field events and 4 p.m. for running events.

"Our girls have come a long way since the season started," Stirling said. "And we've got a young group of guys, mostly freshmen, who are doing well.

"I'd say the future looks good because we'll have everybody back. We're going to compete and see what happens.

"Grace Christian, in my opinion, is the favorite on the boys side. On the girls side, you have Kilbourne, Faith Christian of New Orleans and ourselves who could all do well. It should be a good competition."

The LSD boys contingent is led by freshmen Terrell Summers, John Holmes and Alvin Moore. Holmes and Summers are among the top seeds in the long jump. Summers is also seeded second in the triple jump and is first in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 16.40 seconds.

James Davis (pole vault, 3200), Donquell Ratcliff (shot put), Moore (high jump) are among the top seeds in their respective events and can pick up quality points.

The LSD girls are led by field events specialist Candace Frank, who is the top seed in the shot put (31-0) and discus (98-10) and is among the javelin leaders. Freshman Miranda Picou is in many of the same events as Frank.

LSD also ranks among the higher seeds in the girls relay events, including the 800 relay. The LSD boys also have the potential to pick up relay points.

Other notable local Class C competitors include Jehovah-Jireh's Marvin Green (200 meters) and JCA's Trevor Sterling in the 100 meters.

Local/area teams aren't among the premeet favorites in Class B. Bethany Christian's Richard Bickham is seeded first in the javelin (161-9) and 400 meters (55.20). Bethany's Jared Swink is among the 800 meters leaders.

Maurepas' Chelsea Cowart has the top entry mark in the discus (96-1) and is among the leaders in several other events. Anacoco's Clerc Koenck is a multi-winner in the girls distance events and is again the favorite. However, Maurepas' Kristan Bouquet is seeded second in the 1,600 and is third in the 800.