AIRLINE'S JEREMIAH BOUDREAUX COMPETES IN THE 2023 HOSS GARRET RELAYS
While the cold and windy conditions were not favorable on Thursday at the largest outdoor track and field opener in Northwest Louisiana--Benton's Shamocus Patton Memorial Relays, it didn't seem to bother Airline's Jeremiah Boudreaux and his Vikings as the Vikings scored 113 points to win the boys team title.
Host Benton, led by Addyson Hulett, won the girls' division by one point over Airline--94-93. Hulett won the pole vault (10-2), finished second in the 200m (26.56), and broke the school record in the 400m with a winning time of 59.38.
The Lady Vikings were led Kezyriah Sykes, who won the 100m hurdles (16.29) and the 200m (25.97) while also running a leg on Airline's winning 4x100m (50.10).
Boudreaux scored 28 points by winning both hurdle races and finishing second in the high jump to North DeSoto's Javonte Taylor (6-4). His day started with a 15.29 in the 110m hurdles where he held off Haughton's Tyler Stewart.
As the sun and the temperatures dropped, Boudreaux was called to the high jump apron. He began the event before having to leave to compete in the 300m hurdles.
Unlike the 110m hurdles, Boudreaux was all alone, as he finished in 39.43.
Amazingly, after recovering from a broken leg in an Airline football game on October 20, Boudreaux's marks in both the 110m hurdles and high jump were an improvement on outdoor opener performances at the same meet a year ago.
"I'm proud of myself, especially coming back from the injury and everything," Boudreaux said. "It's cold out here. There a lot of factors, the weather and everything, but I think we did good."
Boudreaux said it was his passion for the sport which motivated him during the grueling rehab process.
"I just really love track," Boudreaux said. "I knew I wasn't going to let it get me down and miss my senior season. That's a big thing to me. Now, look where it has got me. I'm going to college for it. I'm very thankful for it. Thank God."
It begs the question, where would he be if he hadn't had to overcome the adversity? If he hadn't had the setback late in the Fall?
Don't expect the senior leader on the Viking team to be sitting around pondering that question. He is full steam ahead in this-his last track and field season on Viking Drive before he heads to Conway, Arkansas to compete for the University of Central Arkansas.
Boudreaux is the third high school track and field athlete from North Bossier Parish to sign with UCA. Benton's Sadie Hamby signed with the Bears during the early signing period. Fellow Tiger, Jeffery King, who is one of the No. 2 returning javelin thrower in Louisiana has also signed with UCA.
Hamby won both the discus (109-5) and javelin (112-10) on Thursday. She also finished fifth in the shot put (30-5). King won the javelin by over 20 feet with a throw of 175-11.
Why did Boudreaux choose UCA?
"Just the family aspect," Boudreaux said. "The coaches are great. The team is great, and I just felt like it was my home."
Boudreaux's 28 points were more than any other athlete at the meet. His teammate and fellow hurdler, Zion Smith, had the second most points in the meet with 24.
Smith won the long jump with a leap of 20-5, finished third in the 110m hurdles (16.08), and finished second in the 300m hurdles (42.69).
Airline sophomore Jayden Williams provided the Viking with quality points in the distance events as he had a podium finish in both the 1600m (4:44.78), where he finished third, and the 3200m (10:25), where he was the runner-up.
Parkway, who scored 87 points, was the runner-up in the boys division of the meet. The Panthers started off strong with a school record in the 4x800m. The team of Brennan Robin, Noah Fox, Alex Gomez, and Gabe Falting ran a time of 8:16.61.
Parkway's Devon Oliver gave the Panthers 20 points in the field by winning both the shot put (46-0) and discus (144-8).
Other winners for Parkway included Andrew Kent (4:41.92) in the 1600m and Gary Smith (10:14.83) in the 3200m . The Panthers also won the 4x400 relay (Robin, Gomez, Falting, and Will Achee) which ran a time of 3:33.15.
Coach Schirra Fields and his Vikings will try to make it two wins in a row next week when they host the Airline Viking Relays on Thursday, March 7th.