CCHS' Paul wins 1A long jump

BATON ROUGE — The Central Catholic Eagles collected one state title and a third-place finish among their performances at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association/Allstate Sugar Bowl State Track and Field meet Friday at LSU.
The Eagles’ Samarick Paul won the long jump with a leap of 21 feet, 6.25 inches, while Sal Grizzaffi finished third in the 3,200 meter run in 10:36.31.
Paul’s mark was his third personal record in as many meets, and the conclusion to his sophomore year was a fitting one considering at the district, regional and state meet, he finished all three meets with the top marks despite not being seeded as the top jumper prior to each meet.
He came into the state meet tied with Haynesville’s James Jackson for the second-best jump with a mark of 21 feet, 4.5 inches.
Paul, who started long jumping this year at the John Melvin Relays, said he never thought he would finish as state champion.
“Not at all because I went into it not knowing what to do, just trying to have fun, being with my friends, but it turned into much more,” he said.
While he got down on himself initially, Paul said Central Catholic Coach David Fuhrer kept pumping him up in the stands, and he built up confidence with jumping.
“I really didn’t think I was going to do it, but I give all the thanks to God, all the glory to God,” Paul said. “Without him it wouldn’t be possible.”
Fuhrer said Paul regrouped after a practice session in the morning and overcame nerves to perform well in the finals.
“He’s a competitor. He’s very athletic and he picked up to this from the get-go. Today, seriously, his athleticism took over.”
As for Grizzaffi, he said the 3,200 meter run was the race he thought he would reach the podium in.
“I knew that I needed to not only save a little bit in the mile (1,600 meter run) but run smart,” Grizzaffi said.
Grizzaffi said the 3,200 meter race was one made up of contenders who are competitive.
“When you got a race like that, it’s really hard to decide what you want to do, but I feel like I ran the race smart, and it’s probably the greatest moment of my life,” he said of the finish.
Fuhrer said Grizzaffi has wanted to reach the top three every year and it was his goal this year.
“Class 1A distance over the last few years has been probably just as tough as any other class. … For him to be on the podium, it’s great,” Fuhrer said. “I’m just so happy for him. I know he’s worked hard for it, and just great for him, his last race as a Central Catholic Eagle he gets on the podium, and that’s awesome.”
Grizzaffi also placed fourth in the 1,600 meter run with a time of 4:42.63, a personal record.
“I knew that (Scott) Maggio, (John) Ellender and (Zach) Capello were all going to be fighting for the top three, and so I wasn’t entirely upset because I’m a realist. And whenever I saw that their times going into it were out of my league, I wasn’t upset with myself but more so I was just trying to make sure I did what I needed to do to perform (well) in the (3,200 meter run),” he said.
Grizzaffi said he plans to go run cross country and track and field at Southeastern Louisiana University next year.
Rounding out Central Catholic’s competitors was Hallie Autin, who placed eighth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 51.39, also a personal record.
“She’s athletic,” Fuhrer said. “She’s a competitor. Just very proud of her (and) what she’s accomplished. … Just to be on this stage, to be here, didn’t overwhelm her too much.”