“A First Time for Everything,” is an award-winning coming-of-age memoir that has nothing to do with high school track.
But the title is fitting for two Baton Rouge schools — Glen Oaks and Parkview Baptist. Both came of age while winning their first outdoor track titles at the LHSAA outdoor track & field state meet on Friday night.
“It’s hard for me to explain everything that I feel,” Glen Oaks boys track Johnny Duncan said. “Never did I think we could turn the program around in two years. I’ll just say it feels wonderful.”
Their methods were as different. But the District 6-3A rivals made a huge statement by winning Class 3A titles at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium.
Glen Oaks served notice by winning a Division II indoor track title by a slim margin in February. This time the Panthers left no doubt with sprinter Na’Ryan Delone leading the way.
The Panthers scored 80 points to win the boys division ahead of Lake Charles College Prep (63).
Distance runner Lucy Cramer led the way as Parkview girls finished with 74.5 points to claim the girls crown. Lake Charles-based St. Louis Catholic was next at 58.
For good measure, the Parkview boys earned a third-place finish. It is the third girls state title since January for the Eagles, who also won Division II select basketball and Division III soccer titles.
“The Cramers are fantastic,” Parkview interim girls track coach Betsy Bernhard said. “We added a volleyball player whose parents have a history in track.
“And then we got the basketball and soccer players involved. It’s a testament of all of the girls — multi-sports — coming together.”
Delone of Glen Oaks was the Outstanding Boys Performer for 3A boys. He won the 400 meters in 47.16 seconds, the 200 in 21.13 and was second in the 100.
“I had a bad start and didn’t win my 100,” Delone said. “That motivated me in the 400 and 200. I really wanted my team to win, so I had to do what I could.
“We had confidence in each other. We knew we could come out and do what we did today.”
Freshman Lucy Cramer set class records in the 1,600 meters in 5:00.31 and 3,200 teamed (10:50.50) and also won the 800. The 1,600 record she broke had stood for 39 years. Cramer’s sister Molly, an eighth-grader to place first and second in all three distance races.
“It’s amazing to get a state title with this school,” Lucy Cramer said. “It was a great day. I got to come out and do the 4x800 relay, the 1,600, 800 and 3,200 and have my sister beside me.”
Another distance runner, Aiden Monistere, led the Parkview boys. His winning 1,600 of 4:18.53 also broke a 40-year-old record.
More superlatives
University’s Lamar Brown is best known as a football lineman. But the junior made his mark in 3A too. Brown had the winning shot put throw of 53 feet, 1 inch.
Parkview volleyball standout Jana Thymes won the jump in 18-1¾, a mark that ranks in Louisiana’s top 10 for 2024.