A matter of inches prevented the Lake Charles College Prep boys from winning the Division II indoor track and field championship in February, but the Trailblazers used it as motivation and are one of the top contenders for the Class 3A outdoor title today at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association track and field championships at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium.

LCCP had a six-point lead on Glen Oaks heading into the last event, the 4×400-meter relay. The Trailblazers needed at least a fourth-place finish to win their first indoor title. They finished third and started to celebrate but were informed the relay team was disqualified after a runner stood on the line and not behind before taking off to receive the baton on one of the exchanges.

Glen Oaks ended up beating the Trailblazers 49-47.

“It really put a bad taste in the kids’ mouths,” LCCP boys track and field coach Jackie Rhine said. “They are running with a purpose.

“That motivated them to work hard throughout the season. They are going into today with a chip on their shoulder. I love the state of mind that it put my kids in.”

Class 3A and 2A will compete in today’s meet, while 5A and 4A will close out the meet on Saturday.

Glen Oaks along with John F. Kennedy stand in the way of LCCP winning its first outdoor title since 2021.

“We have a pretty good shot at making a run for it,” Rhine said. “We have a great chance to go in there to make something happen.”

Ironically, the key for LCCP will be the relays. They are seeded third or better in all four relays and occupy the top qualifying spot in the 4×200. LCCP will also need points from the field from long jumper Cameron Hill and triple jumper Cameron Brazzle.

“The relays are going to be major if we can take first or top two in 4×800 and first in the 4×100 will be real big,” Rhine said. “What will set us apart is if our jumpers can get us 10 more points in the field. If we can get that, I like our chances.”

LCCP is led by a pair of freshmen. Ayden Carter (10.83 seconds) is the two seed in the 100 meters while Kai Fontenot (10.92) is the four seed. They are ranked third (Fontenot) and fourth (Carter) in the 200.

“We are a young team,” Rhine said. “The kids have really been focused on winning state. We are led by freshmen. Our two fastest kids are freshmen.”

Two of the Lake Area’s top female sprinters will get their last opportunity to go head-to-head today.

Lake Charles College Prep’s Jayla Mason and St. Louis Catholic’s Hannah Boullion have met multiple times in the last three seasons. At the state meet last year, Boullion bested Mason in the 400. In 2021, Mason won the 200 and 400 while Boullion was third in the 400.

This year, Mason won 200 and 400 at the regional meet with Boullion finishing second in both events. At the District 3-3A meet, Boullion edged Mason by .06 seconds in the 200 and Mason won the 400.

Mason is the top seed in the 200 (24.99) and 400 (56.42). Boullion is No. 2 in both events.

The St. Louis girls have the top-seeded 4×400 (4:00.09) and 4×800 (10:06.97) relay team and are the defending 3A girls team champion, while LCCP was the runner-up last year.

Also in the 3A meet, Iowa’s Brianna Underwood will look to medal in two events as the two seed in the girls javelin and third in the discus. She has the second-best javelin throw in the state at 149 feet, 7 inches. The top seed is the No. 1 javelin thrower in the state in Bunkie’s Kaylen Rabalais. She threw a 151-7 in the Louisiana High School Coaches Association Meet of Champions on April 5.

In Class 2A, Vinton’s Jeramiah Holts is the top contender for gold in the boys discus at 154-10, while Rosepine’s Amaya Shine will have the coveted center lane in the girls 200 (25.16) and lead the Eagles No. 1 4×400 relay team (4:08.29).