By ROBERT L. LEE

RESERVE – With 15 student-athletes qualified for the trip, Reserve Christian School coach Todd Simmons said he is confident his Eagles will win the track and field state title Friday at L.S.U.

“Right now everything is coming together,” said Simmons, who will lead eight boys and seven girls up to Baton Rouge.

Collectively or separated into gender groups, the Eagles total more track and field athletes from the tri-parish area headed to the championship meet.

Simmons said, “That isn’t bad for a school without a track,” or a Class B school with such a limited enrollment.

“But we’re not bad off, we should pass with flying colors,” he added.

“We will probably win state in boys and our girls should come out at least fifth of sixth.”

To take the state honors home to Reserve, the Eagles would have to accumulate about 60-65 points across five events.

The team is scheduled to compete in six events and is “double-stacked” with runners in the 100 and 200-meter competitions.

“We’re trying to give the area its first state championship in 20 years aside from Lutcher and Donaldsonville, who were the only two teams close by,” Simmons continued.

Both of the Eagles’ teams have shown their strength through the playoffs, with 22 athletes qualifying for the regionals. Simmons explained he does not put emphasis on local meets, just the events which lead to the playoffs and a championship.

The entire boys’ team is compiled of athletes carried over from last year’s team and is basically the basketball team, with the exception of two runners. Heading the boys’ group has been Marshall Williams and George Arnold. Williams placed second in the state last year, and won the most outstanding track men’s overall in the previous meet last week. Arnold garnered the most outstanding track runner in a prior meet this season.

The girls’ group, was put together last May and has practiced together since March. Simmons said although it is their first full year of track, the girls have accomplished a balanced team. Leading the girls is Mary Venus, who is currently ranked second in the state and was third last year.

Simmons said even if the Eagles don’t come back with the championship, they will come back strong next year because “the kids have a lot of heart,” and only Venus and Arnold are seniors this year.