By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

For the third straight year, St. Charles’ Reyna Lubin is headed to the state Track & Field Championships – only this time, she’s competing in a different event.

After qualifying in her freshman and sophomore seasons in the 400 meters, Lubin has qualified for state this year in the girls’ long jump. Her leap of 16-5 was a personal season best and good for second place in Wednesday’s Class 3A Region III meet at Jewel Sumner High School.

“She’s peaking at the right time,” said St. Charles Coach Jerry Schexnayder. “It’s her first year competing in the long jump, and I think it shows her athletic ability that she’s able to adapt to whatever event is in front of her.”

As a team, the Comet girls finished tied for 13th in the regional, along with Amite and Brusly. The boys finished tied for 16th with Loranger.

Lutcher’s boys finished second with 98 points, while the Lady Bulldogs finished ninth.

Port Allen swept both events, topping the boys with 121 points and the girls with 125.5.

Schexnayder said that the toughness of the region meant that whoever qualified had to earn their way.

“Obviously, I think this was one of the tougher regionals,” he said. ”I was pleased with our effort. Our top performers did well again, and they ran the times they usually do. They were consistent, only this week it just wasn’t enough for the top 3.”

SCC’s top finishers besides Lubin were Justin Vicknair (6th, 300-meter hurdles) and Brett Landry (6th, 1600 meters).

The Lutcher boys had three individual first place winners: Aston Williams (javelin, 193-9), Frederick Thomas (400 meters, 48.87) and Charles Williams (300 meter hurdles, 41.05).

Thomas also qualified for state in the 200 meters (3rd, 22.62). Terrence White took second in the 110 meter hurdles (16.08). Lutcher’s boys’ 800 meter relay team (1st) and 400 meter team (2nd) also qualified.

Among girls, Lutcher’s Jada Jasmin (3rd, 300 meter hurdles, 50.97) and Kristi Branch (3rd, javelin, 104-1) qualified.     

The Class 3A State Track & Field Championships will be held next Saturday at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium.