By Jim Bickford

Contributing Writer

trackmic@juno.com

With five first places and the meet’s girls’ Field MVP, Chalmette High’s Lady Owl track team won the For The Birds track and field meet on their home track last Friday.

Scoring 153 points at Bobby Nuss Stadium, the Lady Owls defeated Newman (137), Ursuline (118), Archbishop Chapelle (69), Phoenix (46) and Thomas Jefferson (29).

In the boys’ division, Holy Cross edged the host Owls with 90 points behind seven first place finishes and overcoming a strong performance by the Owls’ Andre Dorsey, who claimed the boys’ Field MVP and his teammates (Chris Duplessis in the throws and David Bienemy in the jumps) in the field events as Owl athletes won five of those seven events. CHS scored 80, followed by Newman (72) and Thomas Jefferson (27).

In the first home meet of the season, senior thrower Torrie Smith won the girls’ Field Most Valuable Performer award as she captured the shot put (29-3.25) and placed second in the javelin (89-8) and discus (74-1).

Taking home first places for the Lady Owls were Keondra Lafrance in the triple jump (31-11.50), Melanie Benit in the 300-meter hurdles (56.78 seconds), Alex Schmaltz in the 800 meter run (2:45.62) and the 4×100-meter relay foursome of Jordan Hartney, Breyion Williams, Cierra Thompson and Lafrance (54.57).

Chalmette’s first places came from Dorsey in the javelin (151-2, PR), Chris Duplessis in the shot put (45-9, PR) and in the discus (112-2, PR) and David Bienemy in the long jump (20-0.25, PR) and triple jump (43-0.75, PR).

In addition to winning the javelin, Dorsey was second in the triple jump (41-7.50) and high jump (5-8). Owl Mason Rucker finished second to Bienemy in the long jump (18-7.25).

Thomas Jefferson sprinter Eric Vickers edged Holy Cross distance ace Brent Kitto for the boys’ Track MVP as both runners won two events – Vickers took the 100 and 200 while Kitto claimed the 1600-meter run (4:38.64) and the 800-meter run (2:04.43).

Kitto edged out two Owls in those wins – Ben Hauck in the 1,600 (5:18.01) and Paul Sampson in the 800 (2:09.16).

Other second places by Chalmette came from Donald Harris in the 100 (11.71), Michael Mercadel in the 110-meter hurdles (20.59) and the 4×100-meter relay team (46.64) of Harris, James Banks (third in the 200 – 24.45), David Smith and Jermaine Brisco.

Lady Owls scoring seconds were senior Melanie Nicolay in the 1,600 (6:12.03) and the 3,200 (13:29.52), Jordan Hartney in the 100 (14.26), Gabby Major in the shot put (27-7.50, PR) and Melanie Benit in the pole vault (8-0).

Thirds from CHS were Vershione Toney (400, 1:08.11), Melanie Fink (800, 2:52.56), Jordan Hartney (javelin, 88-0), Gene Nicosia (javelin, 132-10, PR); the girls 4×200-meter relay of Shanice Williams, Cierra Thompson, Melanie Fink and Vershione Toney (1:59.05); and the 4×400-meter relay of Alex Schmaltz, Melanie Fink, Vershione Toney and Cierra Thompson (4:56.31).