St. Joseph's, Catholic look to turn rankings into titles

• By ROBIN FAMBROUGH
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 18, 2008 - UPDATED: 7:12 a.m.

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Two local Class 5A teams, Catholic High and St. Joseph’s Academy, were ranked No. 1 in the final overall statewide polls.

As teams in four classifications descend on Natchitoches today to close out the Louisiana High School Athletic Association/State Farm State Cross Country Meet, questions abound.

Can the Baton Rouge contingent take it from the top, with St. Joseph’s, Catholic or perhaps Walker High, leading the way by sweeping titles in the top class? Teams in Classes 5A to 2A will compete today during the second day of the meet at Northwestern State. Races begin at 10 a.m.

“I think it’s going to be very exciting and maybe even nerve-wracking to watch,” Catholic coach Pete Boudreaux said. “In the past you may have had two of three teams with a chance to win. This year there are four or five.

“Even with that said, I don’t try to load them (Catholic runners) down with things they should or shouldn’t do. All the need to do is compete and do the things they been doing.”

Catholic seeks its first 5A boys title since 2001 with Walker expected to contend along with two New Orleans teams, defending champion Brother Martin and Jesuit.

St. Joseph’s seeks its first 5A girls crown in more than a decade. St. Scholastica of Covington, Lafayette High and defending champion Mount Carmel of New Orleans are among the teams to watch.

“We feel pretty good about where we are,” SJA coach Sam Young said. “We also know there are two of three teams, other teams that also have a chance to win. It may come down to whoever has the best race. We feel like we’re prepared.”

The schedule that includes eight three-mile races will include more than 5A competition. Episcopal seeks its 13th straight title in the 2A boys competition. The Knights, who have won 20 titles in 22 seasons, expect a challenge from local rival University High.

“We’re very excited about it,” Episcopal coach Claney Duplechin said of the meet. “We have a group with six sophomores … there are no seniors or juniors, so the future is bright.

“We know U-High is running well and that’s a challenge for us. It’s tricky because this is the only meet where you run against just the people in your class. It should be fun to watch.”

St. Michael has won three straight Class 4A boys titles and actually swept the boys and titles a year ago. SMHS coach Neil Borel has targeted challengers for his teams — Cabrini of New Orleans and Benton on the girls side and Holy Cross of New Orleans and Teurlings Catholic of Lafayette on the girls side.

“It’s going to competitive,” Borel said. “We have to be patient and let the races come to us. We need to stick with our plan.”