Kountze secures title at 24-2A track meet

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Kountze secures title at 24-2A track meet

Kountze moved a step closer to the Class 2A state track meet last week by winning the District 24-2A title. It was the first time the Lions won a district title since the 2001 season.

The Lions finished in first place with a total of 116 points. East Chambers was second with 110 points, while Deweyville was third with 94.

All three schools qualified members of their teams to the Class 2A, Region III Track and Field Championships that are scheduled to take place April 27-28 at Palestine High School.

"We have a chance to do some good things at regionals," said Kountze track coach Ben West. "I think if we make it to the finals we have a good chance to qualify for state."

Kountze came away with first-place medals in the 400- and 800-meter relays.

The 400 relay team of Aubrey Walker, Thomas Wolcott, Devin Wise and Devin Bray finished in first place with a time of 43.78 seconds. East Chambers also qualified for regionals with a second-place finish in 45.48, while Warren was third in 45.57.

The Lions' 800 relay of Bray, Justin Baker, Wise and Wolcott won the event in 1:33.63. East Chambers finished in second place in 1:34.27, while Deweyville was third in 1:37.12.

The mile relay team of Walker, Evan Page, Baker and Zack Kemp finished in third place in 3:44.05.

"The relay teams did a really good job at district," West said. "Our goal was to win a district title, and we dug deep to make it happen. It was a team effort for us. Everybody on our team did their part to help win the title. The district was really tough and everybody had kids that could perform well."

In individual events, Bray won the 100 meters in 11:49, while Kemp finished second place in the 400 with a time of 54.13.

The Lions came away with the top three spots in the 200 meters. Wise won the event in 23.57. Teammate Wolcott was second in 23.64, while Baker was third in 24.10.

Kountze, which replaced its dirt track with a rubber one a year ago, only has one senior. It has 13 sophomores and eight juniors.

"Our team is filled with sophomores and juniors," West said. "We only have one senior on our team, and that's Justin Baker. But we didn't let being young ruin our chances at a district title. We worked together as team and got it done. Our goal is to do the same thing at the regional meet."