By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur
HAMMOND – Fresh off of a district championship, the Riverside girls track and field team posted its highest score at regionals in the past five years, finishing fourth at the Region III-2A meet at St. Thomas Aquinas.
The lady Rebels totaled 77.50 points. Host St. Thomas Aquinas won the event with a score of 116.50. Newman and Sacred Heart finished second and third respectively. 13 teams competed at the regional.
Michelle Mayes was named the regional’s Outstanding Field Performer after taking the championship in the discus (102-01) and fourth in the shot put ( 31-04).
Mayes far outpaced the field in the discus, besting second place Regan Bolton’s (St. Thomas Aquinas) throw by over eight feet.
“She won the discus and then threw her best all year in the javelin. That went for fourth, so there’s nothing you can do about that,” said Riverside track and field coach Joe Trosclair. “She was really strong and she’ll go back to state.”
Mayes helped Riverside lead all teams in the field events; RA led the regional by 10 points entering the running events.
Channan Simmons qualified for state in three different events, winning the 200 meter championship (26.84) while taking second in the 100 (12.94) and third in the high jump (5-00). She also finished fourth in the long jump (15-09.25).
“She’ll really be competing in four events (at state) because she’ll move back into relays. She put together a great overall meet,” said Trosclair.
Kendra Turner also had a big day, taking the championship in the shot put (32-06.50)  and third in the triple jump (33-01.50).
The girls 4×100 relay team (Taylor Terrio, Kennedy White, Ja’keyre Gautreaux and Kaitlyn Masters) captured second place with a time of 52.98.
The girls 4×200 team (Terrio, Toni Hebert, White and Masters) will advance after taking a third place finish (1:53.98).
Evan Kirkwood will represent the Riverside boys at state after placing third in the javelin (149-01).
The Rebel boys finished 10th overall at the 14-team event.