MCHS wins title in 4x100 meter relay

Morgan City High School’s 4x100 meter relay sprinted to a Class 4A championship to lead the Tigers’ competitors at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association/Allstate Sugar Bowl Class 3A, 4A and 5A State Track and Field Meet Saturday.
The team, comprised of Keshawn Marshell, Kevon Marsh, Tierrell Jones and Jaylen Jones, not only ran the fastest time in the 4A meet at 41.42, but their time was the fastest among all teams in Classes 5A-C in their respective state finals.
The time was not only a personal record but also a school record.
“It’s my first year running track really, so to be on the track with them three, it’s just a good accomplishment,” Marshall said. “We had good handoffs throughout the whole season, and it was our last run.”
Tierrell Jones said it felt good to get redemption for past mistakes.
“It felt good to come out here and get first,” he said.
Morgan City Track and Field Coach Duriel Singleton said his team has been running hard all year.
“That was a faster track, and I knew (we were) going to put up one of our fastest times,” he said. “I didn’t know we were going to go 41.4. I knew we were going to put up a fast time. We’ve been working hard for it, and the boys knew they were going to give their all and they were going to run through the line as fast as they could.”
Meanwhile, Jaylen Jones also reached the podium in the 200 meter dash with a second-place finish in 21.86.
The finish was the second runner-up performance for Jones in the race in as many years.
“I didn’t do my best,” he said. “Not even close,” he said.
Jones, who was limping after the race, said his hamstring was bothering him before the race.
“He hurt it trying to run that 4x1, but he still went at it,” Singleton said. “He dug deep. He gave all he could.”
Donte’ Jackson repeated as state champion with a time of 21.26.
Singleton said it was a good day for all his competitors.
“I’m proud of how we went out there and competed and made Morgan City look good,” he said.
In other action, Morgan City’s Marsh finished fourth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.68.
“For the 100, that was like the best block start that I ever had, but it felt like I could have finished better than what I did,” he said.
However, he put it behind him because he said he knew he had to get a victory for the 4x1.
Jackson also won the 100 meter dash in 10.3
In team scoring, Morgan City’s boys finished tied for sixth place with 22 points.
In girls’ action, Morgan City’s 4x200 meter relay and 4x100 meter relay each finished fifth.
The 4x200 meter relay ran a 1:47.06, while its 4x100 meter relay clocked in at 50.73.
The 4x200 meter relay was the team’s best time this year.
The 4x200 meter relay consists of Alicia Singleton, Ke’aira Turner, Haley Harris and Jaiveianna Jones.
The team’s 4x100 meter relay includes Singleton, Turner, Hailey Lewis and Jones.
“They ran their hearts out,” Duriel Singleton said. “They ran. I’m proud of them. I’m proud that they just made it there.”
Morgan City finished tied for 32nd with four points in girls’ team scoring.