Louisiana State Meet

Annie Fink Breaks Meet Record On Way To Class B Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Annie Fink's path to repeating as a state champion was an historical one. On Monday at the Northwestern State University at the Allstate Sugar Bowl/Louisiana State Cross Country Championships, the Runnels senior won the Class B title in 18 minutes, 25.1 seconds, breaking the all-time 3-mile course record. Fink finished more than a minute faster than the next runner.

A year after finishing second, Episcopal of Acadiana dominated as all five runners finished in the top nine to score 28 points and claim the team title. 

The boys Class B crown went to Episcopal of Acadiana with 39 points. The team was led by Oliver Nickel, who defended his title in 16:53.2.  

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge girls and boys both swept the 2A titles. Senior James Christian led the way for the boys to repeat as state champion in 16:19.2. According to the advocate.com, this was the 24th straight LHSAA title for the boys, which ranks second nationally. Individually for the girls, Ava Hartman of Isidore Newman clocked 19:28.9 to win the title. 

The girls 1A title was won by Metairie Park Country Day with 41 points, placing four in the top 10. Individually, Cedar Creek’s Ansley Long finished first in 18:36.1.  

The boys 1A team race provided some drama as Cedar Creek edged out Metairie Park Country Day by one point, 48-49. Cedar Creek senior Collins Walker led the way with a first-place finish in 16:27.  

Seventh grader Anisten Dunn of Claiborne Christian ran 21:28.8 to win the Class C race and guide her team to runner-up title. Hornbeck placed four runners in the top 10 to score 37 points and win the team title. 

The Hornbeck boys made it a program sweep, scoring an impressive 19 points to win the state title. Junior John Jett led the way with a first-place finish in 17:27.9. Hornbeck had all seven runners in the top nine.

5A/4A/3A-Tuesday

Concluding the two-day meet on Tuesday, Byrd High senior Austin Mikovich won the 5A individual title in 15:51.2. A year ago, he finished in ninth place. Baton Rouge Catholic repeated with 36 points, as four runners placed in the top nine.  

The St. Joseph's Academy girls repeated as state champs with 49 points, as Mt. Carmel senior Hope Shales won in 18:48.9.  

The Teurlings Catholic boys won the 4A title with 62 points, while Carencro senior Cameron Angelle won in 15:48.  

The Vandebilt Catholic girls repeated as state 4A champs with three runners finishing in the top 10 to score 56 points. Storm Burton of Caddo Magnet won the individual race in 18:50.9.  

In 3A, the E. D. White Catholic boys scored 72 points to edge out defending champion Erath (81) for the title. Loyola Prep senior Will Dart took top honors, running the fastest time of the day in 15:45.8. Dart won by more than 30 seconds. 

Academy Of The Sacred Heart (NO) repeated as 3A state champs with a dominant showing of 53 points. Junior Olivia Mcgoey led the way, winning the race in 19:39.3. 

Team Champions

Class 5A: Catholic boys 36 points; St. Joseph's Academy girls 49 points - RESULTS

Class 4A: Teurlings Catholic boys 62 points; Vandebilt Catholic girls 56 points - RESULTS

Class 3A: E. D. White Catholic boys 72 points; Academy Of The Sacred Heart (NO) girls 53 points - RESULTS

Class 2A: Episcopal School of Baton Rouge boys 35 points; Episcopal School of Baton Rouge girls 35 points - RESULTS

Class 1A: Cedar Creek boys 48 points; Metairie Park Country Day girls 41 points - RESULTS

Class B: Episcopal Of Acadiana boys 39 points; Episcopal Of Acadiana girls 28 points - RESULTS

Class C: Hornbeck boys 19 points; Hornbeck girls 37 points - RESULTS