By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Riverside’s Jesse LeBlanc and St. Charles’s Reyna Lubin and Chris Graugnard all notched impressive showings at the LHSAA State Cross Country Meet on Tuesday.

LeBlanc finished 16th in Class 2A with a time of 17:40. Lubin finished 43rd among Class 3A girls with a time of 22:35. Graugnard finished 35th among 3A boys by posting a time of 18:28.

LeBlanc’s performance follows his District 10-2A championship victory two weeks ago. Riverside coach Daniel Waguespack said that Leblanc’s time was even more impressive considering the lack of time that he has to devote to preparation, considering his other activities.

“He goes to football practice, then he hops over to soccer,” said Waguespack. “He doesn’t get a chance to practice like the other kids with everything else he has going on.”

Said St. Charles coach Matt Monica, on Graugnard’s finish: “He overachieved this season. Two years ago, he clocked his first race in 22 minutes. To cut off the time that he has in that time is remarkable. I’m really looking forward to (Graugnard and Lubin) returning for us next year.”

Among teams, Sacred Heart captured the Class 3A girls team state championship. St. Charles finished 14th, and Lutcher finished 16th. E.D. White was the top finisher among the boys, while Lutcher finished 12th and St. Charles 21st.

In Class 5A, Brother Martin took the state championship. Hahnville placed 29th and East St. John placed 33rd.

For the St. Charles girls, Erica Blank posted a time of 23:25; Brooke Carmouche, 25:44; Joanna Casadaban, 26:08; Kelly Lienhop, 26:24 and Maria Ramos, 26:28.

For the Comet boys, Cory Burns posted a 21:48; Mark Folse, 21:56; Andrew Massa, 23:16; Jonathan Arnould, 24-19; and Sunil Wadahwa, 27:39.

Matt Graves posted a time of 26:10 for Riverside.

For the Rebel girls, Jenny LeBlanc posted a 28:01; Jamie Landeche, 28:14; Chelsea Stein, 32:12; and Katie Landeche, 32:14.

(See STATE Page 11A)

Dawn Brooks was East St. John’s top female runner with a time of 24:57.

For the Wildcat boys, Charmer Pratt ran a 18:46; Travis James, 19:56; Michael Watson, 19:57; Baishawn Pratt, 19:58; Cody Roy, 23:01; Michael Tabb, 23:04.

East St. John Coach Paul Dupuy had high praise for Charmer Pratt, who improved throughout his senior year.

“Charmer had a great performance,” said Dupuy. “He has the right attitude and has all season. He improved his time as we went along. We’re real proud of him.”