News Post
Runners Start Season With Wins in Two Meets
The St. Joseph’s Academy cross country team split into two squads to kick off the 2023 season on September 2, with both teams finishing in first place. The Varsity-A team traveled to Clinton, Mississippi, to compete in The High School Opener hosted by Mississippi College, while the Varsity-B team competed in the 23rd annual St. Michael High School Bayou Boogie Classic at Highland Road Park.
The High School Opener featured 21 teams and 194 runners. In the 5K race, SJA dominated the field, placing its five scorers in the top 10 positions to score 22 points. Rounding out the top five were Ruston High (116), East Rankin Academy (128), Columbia Academy (139) and Simpson Academy (156).
SJA’s runners and their times were Grace Rennhoff, first place, 18:56.20; Michelle Daigle, second place, 19:16.65; Elise Brown, fourth place, 19:41.57; Hannah Vaughan, sixth place, 19:49.86; Kaitlyn Francise, ninth place, 20:08.51; Sara Pasquier, 18th place, 20:57.75; and Charlotte Beck, 25th place, 21:18.84.
The Bayou Boogie featured 16 teams and 156 runners in the three-mile varsity race. SJA scored 53 points to finish ahead of Acadiana Renaissance Charter (95), St Thomas More (95), Vandebilt Catholic (101) and St. Michael the Archangel (156).
SJA’s runners and times were Melia Hooper, seventh place, 20:19.94; Tiana Khuri, 11th place, 20:38.36; Stella Vincent, 12th place, 20:39.07; Ainsley Brignac, 13th place, 20:39.38; Madison Mannino, 14th place, 20:47.06; Grace Martin, 15th place, 20:53.39; Julia Monzon, 20th place, 21:19.28; Emmaline Ritter, 21st place, 21:24.69; and Kathryn Casey, 30th place, 21:57.57.
In the three-mile junior varsity race, SJA finished first with 15 points followed by Teurlings Catholic (48), Vandebilt Catholic (74) and Lutcher (108).
Runners and their times were Sophia Otzenberger, first place, 22:23.10; Noella Fields, third place, 23:02.25; Hope Lemoine, fourth place, 23:09.94; Camille Vaughan, fifth place, 23:53.60; Audree Comeaux, sixth place, 24:10.04; and Cate Barbier, eighth place, 24:41.79.
Next up for the Redstickers is the Episcopal Round Table Run on September 9 at Highland Road Park. The varsity race starts at 8 a.m. followed by the JV race at 8:45 a.m.
Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director