A taste of Louisiana’s finest crawfish is right under the giant Chevron sign on Tech Drive right here in Ruston. Packed with signature seasoning and classic Louisiana flavor, U-PAK-IT’s Tech Drive Crawfish is sure to please everyone, thanks in large part to the cook Jacob Habetz, who has spent over 19 years perfecting his recipe.
At Tech Drive Crawfish, we’re all about quality and consistency. With years of experience, a perfected seasoning blend, and a dedication to freshness, Keith Brasuell, Habetz, and the rest of the team take pride in serving the best crawfish in town.
“It takes a true crawfish lover to be passionate about the process,” Habetz said. “I love crawfish and it’s always been my favorite food. I grew up in the crawfish industry – my parents had crawfish ponds since the early 90’s as a side hustle that eventually turned into a career when my dad started hauling crawfish commercially in 2000. What keeps me passionate about crawfish is all the awesome customers I have and the great people in Ruston who rely on us daily during the season.”
Come to Tech Drive Crawfish today for the highest-rated crawfish in Ruston!
Since the cold, hard winter won’t let go — polar this, vortex that — it’s time for men everywhere to reevaluate their underwear situation.
Better safe than sorry.
Some will delay the decision and be left wanting. They might think as I did in college, that underwear is overrated. They are silly men. As we grow older, we wear underwear to conform, in a loose sense, and to make concessions to maturity, to age, and, one would think, to strict workplace policy.
A man with a solid staple of underwear has one less thing over which to worry. Or under which to worry. Knowing what you’re about, drawerwise, frees you to do all the other things you’ve always wanted to do, like shoot par or win the Pulitzer. It’s hard for a guy to shoot par or win the Pulitzer if there’s a draft in the basement.
So, since we are here to serve …
… following are the main types of underwear and their pros and cons. Due to space constraints and subject matter, we’ll be brief.
TRADITIONAL high-on-the-thigh briefs: Like men’s swimsuits of the ’50s, these have been standard for centuries (a dry-rotted pair was found in King Tut’s tomb) and are still the most-used brief. Often worn because our fathers wore them. But think about it: the way these are cut promotes chafing and general angst. Subconsciously, this regulation fit gets to you after a while. You don’t realize it, but your current job performance, that time in ’82 you wrecked your car, even that “D” in sophomore Algebra could all be traced back to an underlying problem — subconscious chafing woes.
BOXERS: Removes the rubs-you-the-wrong-way factor but leaves you open for other problems. Support is nonexistent. Boxers are good to wear only if you are A) sleeping or B) fighting for the world heavyweight championship. Otherwise, too dangerous to depend on in the heat of battle. But all things considered, still the second-best thing to wear.
BIKINI BRIEFS: Never have, never will. Besides posing a serious double-chafe threat, bikini briefs are not admitted in most hospital emergency rooms. A sitting U.S. president is not allowed to wear them because he would feel weird sitting and because they pose, and I quote from no less than the Constitution here, “a national security threat and all.” Though a ban on bikini briefs might violate The Bill of Rights, we’d still file it under The Bill of Wrongs.
Until we elect a female president, I rest my case. Elect a female president and it’s a different ballgame altogether.
BUTTON-UP BRIEFS: More novelty than substance. I’m going to ask you to use your common sense here. Buttons? On briefs? WHY? We’ve already got to worry about a zipper in that area and now you want to add buttons? That puts us on the dangerous slippery slope toward cufflinks in the netheregions. The gentleman from Louisiana votes NAY.
MIDBRIEFS: NOW we’re talkin’! Provides the bigger feel of boxers with the security of the regulation brief. The cotton goes halfway down the thigh, like a gym short in length, but tighter for confidence. Eliminates the Chafe Factor. Gives you the athletic feel so you think you’re playing center field for the Yankees when you’re really just sitting there grading a paper or eating your supper or typing a story.
If Babe Ruth had been underwear, he’d have been midbriefs.
Still unsure? I am working with the graphics department even now to produce a pamphlet listing each type of underwear, through history, grouped according to classification, family, phylum, subphylum, kingdom, subkingdom, and maximum recommended air pressure psi.
We’ll try our best to get you one before that cold winter wind blows again.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
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Red Bird Auction Company, located in Arcadia, is gearing up for its next live auction on Thursday, March 13th, at 10 a.m. Specializing in Industrial Machinery Auctions, Red Bird Auction brings together a wide selection of high-quality equipment ready to find a new home!
Join us at 392 Gap Farms Lane in Arcadia for an onsite auction experience, or participate remotely from anywhere by visiting bidredbird.com to place your bids online. The auction will feature a range of Heavy Machinery and Construction Equipment, including but not limited to Trucks, Cars, Tractors, Big Trucks, Trailers of all kinds and Construction Equipment Implements.
Are you looking to turn your equipment into cash? Red Bird Auction is currently accepting consignments! Contact Burkes Brown today at 601-502-5084 or email burkes@bidredbird.com to consign your items.
Be sure to follow Red Bird Auction Company on Facebook and Instagram for updates and sneak peeks leading up to the event!
Jack Bell scored a game-high 17 points in his first game in more than a month to help lead Cedar Creek to a 44-42 win over Castor in the regular season finale at The Brickhouse Tuesday night.
Bell, who had been out while recovery from an illness, scored nine points in the game-deciding fourth quarter as the Cougars (13-9) snapped a four-game losing streak.
“This was an amazing win for our team,” said head coach Lance Waldron. “I think a lot of people had counted us out due to injuries and illness, but these guys have no quit in them. We were excited to get Jack Bell back and he did not disappoint. He played a great game, made the game winning bucket and free throw.”
With the Cougars trailing 38-29 entering the final stanza, Jack Bell scored nine points, Jake Terry added four and Brett Bell chipped in with two as Cedar Creek outscored Castor 15-4.
“Defense was crucial,” said Lance Waldron. “Luke Waldron had four blocks and took four game changing charges. Early in the game they were attacking the post, and Landon Hall had some big time stops.”
Creek trailed by as many as 16 points at one point in the game, but cut it to 26-18 at the half. Then the Cougars began to slowly make their way back.
Cameron Temple scored all six of his points in the third quarter to keep the Cougars within striking distance entering the final eight minutes of play.
“Cameron Temple kept us in the 3rd quarter,” said Lance Waldron. “Brett Bell and Jake Terry came up with crucial buckets at key points in the game. The entire team played their heart out and took over the fourth quarter to get the win.”
Terry added 10 points, Brett Bell scored seven and Temple six.
The Cougars will await their playoff pairing next week but should host a first round game based on their current power rating.
Ryan Smith (Photo by Snazzy Shenanigans Photography)
Staff Reports
Carson Carrico scored 22 points, Tucker Batterton added 16 and Jackson Ambrose chipped in with 15 to lead Choudrant to a 64-57 win over West Ouachita in the regular season finale for the Aggies Tuesday night.
With the win Choudrant (16-14) most likely secured a first round playoff home game, although the Aggies will have to await the pairings early next week.
Choudrant trailed 44-41 entering the fourth quarter before outscoring the Chiefs 23-13 over the final eight minutes of action.
Batterton, Carrico and Ambrose combined to score all 23 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 by Carrico, nine from Batterton, and four free throws from Ambrose.
After leading 22-15 at the end of the first quarter, the Aggies struggled to score in the second, getting outscored 17-8 to trail 32-30 at the half.
Loen Arthur led West Ouachita (15-16) with 16 points while Sean McDaniels and Eli Cobb each scored 14 points.
Louisiana Tech softball used three home runs and a strong start from freshman Laney Johnson to power past Northwestern State 9-1 in five innings on a cold Tuesday afternoon at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The win moves LA Tech to 5-5 on the season.
Johnson made her first collegiate start in the circle and pitched a complete game to earn her first collegiate win. The freshman from Stonewall allowed just one run on three hits with no walks. Johnson Induced 10 groundouts and five fly balls as her defense behind her committed zero errors. Johnson faced the minimum number of batters in three of five innings.
The Bulldogs had four players register two hits apiece in Elena Heng, Alexis Gilio, Alannah Rogers and Kaylee Grealy. It marked the third two-hit game in a row for Heng and Rogers while it was the second two hit contest in a row for Gilio. Kaylee Grealy recorded her first two hits of the season today, while Claire Raley registered her first home run of the season on a solo shot. Reagan Marchant also tacked on a home run, which plated three as she and Gilio both recorded three RBI against the Demons.
LA Tech grabbed an early 2-0 lead after the first frame as Gilio hit her first career home run on a two-run blast to right field that scored Heng. Heng received a leadoff walk to start the inning followed by a steal of second.
The Demons scored their lone run of the afternoon on a leadoff solo shot to left center to cut the lead in half at 2-1.
The Bulldogs responded with a run in the bottom of the third as Heng tripled to start the inning and came around to score on a Gilio double, marking her third RBI of the game.
The Bulldogs exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-2 lead over NSU. Grealy tallied her first hit of the season on a leadoff double to left center. Grealy was pinch ran for by Gracie Flores who advanced to third on an Allie Furr bunt single. Heng singled to center field to drive in Flores to make it 4-1 LA Tech. Gilio got on base after being hit by a pitch, followed by Rogers who connected on a single to center to score Heng to give the Bulldogs a four-run lead.
Marchant took the first pitch she saw over the left field wall which scored Rogers and Gilio to make it 8-3 LA Tech. Raley followed Marchant with a solo blast to dead center making it 9-1 Bulldogs after four innings. Johnson induced two groundouts and a line out to secure the 9-1 complete game win.
LA Tech moves to 63-52 all-time against NSU.
The Bulldogs will be back in action this weekend as they head to Huntsville, Alabama, to play four games in the Rocket City Showcase. LA Tech will face off against No. 20 Auburn on Friday at 1:00 p.m.
After much soul searching and really being appreciative of the life I’ve had, I thought it would be a good time ask the question — “what if?” With today’s article I’ll throw out a few scenarios as to what might have been “if” certain things had not happened in my life.
First, what if my real mom and dad would have stayed together and never divorced? For sure my brother (Mike Comer) and I would have grown up together and probably would have been lifelong buds who both shared a passion for sports and fishing. Mike would have been a brother who could have led the way for me and given me direction. I would also have had a relationship with my real dad, who I never met, which is something every boy wants and needs.
What if my aunt and uncle never came to my rescue during my early struggles in school and life itself? I’m pretty sure I would have ended up in some juvenile detention center. At some point, I would have gotten caught sneaking into people’s houses, which over time, I’m sure would have lit my fuse for theft of items other than food.
What if I had never moved to Mt. Pleasant, Texas? I would have missed out on being raised on a ranch and the lessons I learned from that experience. I would have never met my best friend growing up, Kevin Owsley, who I still miss today. I would have not had guidance from some of the best coaches and teachers a young boy could want.
I would have missed out on all the camping trips to Daingerfield State Park with my buddy Kevin. I would have missed out on the awesome summers of playing baseball and going to Park Recreation with coach Sam Parker.
What if I had never moved to Mt. Pleasant? I would have missed the best four years of my life at MPHS! What a great place to go to high school, a place with so much school spirit and pride, a school with the best sounding band from Tiger Land and an athletic program second to none. So much I would have missed out on, like being a member of a state championship baseball team.
What if I had chosen to go to a different college other than Northwestern State? Would I have met the love of my life and raised three awesome kids in a family-oriented community like Natchitoches? Would I have had the same success at another university? Would I have gotten the opportunity to play professional baseball?
What if I had never taken up tournament bass fishing? Well, with regards to this question, I would definitely have more money in the bank and I would have missed out on so many of the friends I’ve made through tournament fishing, friends for life and people I can count in a time of need!
What if I had never started the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show, which has become one of the best outdoor programs on radio. The people I have met through this program during 18 years is endless. The two co-hosts that I share a mic with each week, Mike Echols and Gary McCoy, have given me so much more pleasure and happiness than any one man deserves.
Gary and Mike, with their wit, humor, and outdoor expertise, make it worth my drive to Shreveport each week. Love these two more than you can imagine! Hook’N Up & Track’N Down would not be the same without them.
We can “what if” our lives all we want, but what’s important is that we don’t look back at what might have been, but look forward and be proud of the life we have led.
So, I think it’s obvious my life has been full of joy, sadness, disappointment and success which I guess can be summed up as a journey. Everyone has a journey with some having more than their fair share of ups and downs, but that’s what life is all about — the journey. It’s like one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” That’s exactly what mine has been — a wonderful life!
‘Til next week, see you at the boat ramp! Good luck, good fishing and if you’re not sure it’s a bite, set the hook! If you see me on a lake near you, make sure to stop and say hello.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox.Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
The Grambling State University baseball team fell 17-2 in seven innings to Louisiana-Monroe at Lou St. Amant Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Pitching woes plagued GSU (2-2) throughout the day. The Tigers pitching staff gave up 13 walks and a hit five batters. ULM (3-1) added 12 hits to its stat line.
In the first inning, Nyan Hayes got the Tigers going with a 1-out single into left field. After stealing second and advancing the third on an error, and RBI double by Trey Bridges brought Hayes home to give GSU a 1-0 lead.
Grambling State starter Carlos Peguero (0-1) ran into trouble in the bottom of the frame, surrendering six runs. Reliever Nick Robinson entered in the second, but also struggled to get outs. ULM led 11-1 after two.
In total, the Tigers used six pitchers.
Grambling State scattered five hits. Trey Bridges led the way at the plate for the Tigers, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Louisiana Tech extended its winning streak to seven as the Bulldogs defeated rival ULM, 6-1, on a chilly Tuesday afternoon at the LA Tech Tennis Complex.
LA Tech (8-2) needed just a little over two hours to beat ULM (2-2) for the fourth consecutive time. The Bulldogs claimed the doubles point while also winning five of the six singles courts in straight sets to also remain unbeaten at home this season.
The freshman duo of Alice Brook and Maria Tsironi got the winning started for the ‘Dogs, earning a 6-2 victory on court two. The transfer duo of Nina Skoric and Mio Kozaki gave the opening point to LA Tech, winning 6-1 on court three.
Switching to singles, Kozaki made quick work versus Raquel Alvaro to give the Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage. The lefty won all 12 games to take the victory 6-0, 6-0 at the No. 5 position.
Her doubles partner Skoric provided the third point, defeating Vanja Cado by a score of 6-2, 6-2 at the No. 4 position. Then for a second straight match, Ana Rodrigues provided the clincher. The senior bested Mariam Hatem 6-1, 6-2 at the top spot.
Insurance points came from Brook and Zoie Epps. Brook outdueled Mariia Iordanova 6-4, 6-3 at No. 6 while Epps picked up her team-leading ninth victory with a 6-1, 6-4 win against Tingyi Li at No. 2.
The Warhawks lone point of the match came in a straight sets win on court three.
Minnie Marie Adams March 29, 1926 – February 13, 2025 Visitation: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, Mt Tabor Baptist Church, 132 Mount Tabor Church Road, Bernice Funeral Service: Saturday, February 22, 2025, 10:00 AM, Mt Tabor Baptist Church, 132 Mount Tabor Church Road, Bernice Cemetery Committal: Saturday, February 22, 2025, Mt. Tabor Cemetery, 132 Mount Tabor Church Rd, Bernice
Louisiana Tech University Associate Dean for Research, Outreach, and Innovation Lindsey Vincent was appointed to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) EDU Advisory Committee, where she will bring her expertise in STEM education and workforce development to a national level.
In this role, Vincent will contribute to shaping the future of STEM education nationally while also advocating for the needs of rural communities like those in Louisiana.
“As a member of this advisory committee, I look forward to sharing our best practices with leaders at the federal level while ensuring that our region benefits from the latest advancements in STEM education,” Vincent said. “Having a seat at the table will allow us to collaboratively engage and catalyze advancements in STEM educational programming and workforce development.”
Vincent’s primary goal on the committee is to represent the needs of rural communities, championing research-based approaches that have proven successful in addressing security, education, and workforce challenges.
“My goal through service is to connect thought leaders, doers, and supporters to create opportunities for learners of all backgrounds, ensuring they have access to the resources necessary for expanding their knowledge and employment prospects,” Vincent added.
Dean Henrietta Williams-Pichon of the College of Education and Human Sciences commented on Vincent’s committee appointment and her dedication to STEM education within the college.
“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Vincent’s representation at a national level to share our wins and provide insight into the challenges we face, especially with regard to STEM education in rural communities,” Pichon said. “I look forward in staying connected to the national conversations and having a rural education advocate as a part of this important committee.”
Vincent is eager to engage with community leaders and learners to explore how best to leverage the opportunity to celebrate regional successes and inform the next steps in STEM education and workforce development. She welcomes feedback from stakeholders on strategies to further strengthen STEM initiatives in the rural delta region and beyond.
Last fall the University hosted the NSF STEM Education Advisory Council meeting and a principal investigator workshop for faculty from Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. These events showcased the region’s potential in STEM talent growth and reinforced its importance in advancing national innovation, education, and economic development.
“By supporting initiatives that span formal education, informal learning, and workforce development, this committee — alongside NSF — has the opportunity to identify and scale successful STEM education projects in partnership with industry, government, and community leaders nationwide,” Vincent said.
(Ruston High junior Alex Hunt stands in front of relative T.L. James. Courtesy photo.)
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High junior Alex Hunt needed not look far for inspiration for his English assignment in Mrs. Emily Howell’s class on an example of a paragon of success.
It turns out that Hunt is a descendant of local business legend Thomas Lewis (T.L.) James, a man who needs little to no introduction in North Louisiana.
“In (Advanced Placement) Language and Composition, we had a unit around the thematic topic of success,” Howell said. “Our anchor text was Malcolm Gladwell’s book “Outliers.” This is a book that explores kind of the machinery behind success. It’s separated into two parts: the first being opportunity. Gladwell explores what kind of opportunities we have to have in order to be successful, and within that, we look at things like how much practice matters and hard work.
“And the second part has to do with legacy. The students were given a choice to pick a paragon of success to write about, and they had to explain that figure’s success through the theories of Gladwell. So Alex chose T.L. James, which was really divergent thinking on his part, considering most students choose someone well-known or famous.”
For Hunt, it was a chance to really dig into the kind of person James was and how he helped shape the Ruston community at large.
“T.L. James is somebody I’ve always heard about growing up here, and how he started his businesses (in North Louisiana),” Hunt said. “His parents were immigrants here, and anytime I go to my grandparents’ house, they have a huge picture of him. I knew he did well in the timber business, but I also learned about the successful dredging businesses through all of the research I was able to do. And I learned how generous he was — he donated the money for a football field at Ruston High (now known as James Field at Hoss Garrett Stadium). He also donated money to Grambling and Centenary.”
That generosity was something was really struck Hunt, noting James was generous whether he had plenty to share or not.
“Even when he didn’t have much at all, he would donate to children’s hospitals and orphanages,” Hunt said. “I think it was great to learn how generous he was and it made me extremely honored and proud to be part of his legacy.”
Click the link below to read the essay in its entirety.
The choir of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer is inviting the public to a Choral Evensong celebration to dedicate the church’s new organ to the glory of God.
The hour-long event, under the direction of Dr. Tracie Ellerman, will be held on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the Church of the Redeemer, 504 Tech Drive, Ruston, LA.
“We are inviting the community of Ruston to join us as we worship the Lord in joyful thanksgiving for our new church organ in a spiritual, peaceful, liturgical setting in the Anglican tradition,” said Rev. Frank W. Hughes, Ph.D., priest in residence at the Redeemer.
A reception with refreshments will follow the Choral Evensong in Haskell Hall, adjacent to the church.
For further information about the event, please call 318-255-3925 or visit the Redeemer website at: www.rustonredeemer.org
(Lady Bearcat Morgan Foster has been named captain of the outfield for the 2025 season. Photo by Darrell James)
By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High head softball coach Lauren Garvie has already made gains with the Lady Bearcats softball program.
Going back to the postseason in just her second season at the helm, Ruston now looks to build on the momentum from last season’s playoff appearance, and Garvie brings a talented group of both experienced veterans and fresh faces to the diamond.
“Our ultimate goal this year: we want to continue to grow,” Garvie said. “We get to read a book every year as a team; last year, our book was “The Hard Hat” about a young man who passed away in the middle of his college season. It was about his character and how he played for his team in the best way possible. This year, we’re reading “Win in the Dark,” and it’s almost the same thing: being forged in the fire and being a buffalo, running into hard things and doing hard things. The girls have really bought into it.
“They’re very close this year in a way that they’re very silly with each other, but they have fun. I love just getting to see them enjoy the fruits of their labor and then watching them continue to grow. Our seniors last year were so adamant on changing the narrative that they almost took control of the entire personality, and not in a bad way — but for this year’s senior class, their personalities finally get to shine. They get to come into their own.”
In just two seasons, Garvie improved Ruston’s wins by over a dozen games from 2023 to 2024, finishing last year 17-13 and going to the first round of the playoffs. Now, she will return a squad that will be led in large part by senior outfielder Morgan Foster, who signed to play college softball at McNeese back in November.
“Morgan will be the captain of our outfield,” Garvie said. “She’s very fast and very solid. When she did signing ceremony, my comment was that it’s special to be coach and see a ball go to a play and know that it will be caught with no doubt or hesitation. She’s going to go after the ball and lay out and make a catch. I’ve told our players all the time that if someone gets a hit on our outfield this year, then they’ve earned that. Because we’re fast and aggressive.”
Garvie also talked about her expectations for senior Riley Atwood, who will be making meaningful appearances both in the circle and the outfield next to Foster, as well, after junior pitcher Sage Tolar will be out early with an injury. Freshman Skylar Bowers will also see time in the circle for Ruston High
“Riley is incredibly fast and incredibly competitive,” Garvie said. “And she’s very close to Morgan personally — they have a camaraderie as friends, and once you put that on the field along with their athleticism, it’s amazing.”
Sophomore Gracelyn Underwood will start in right field for the Lady Bearcats, as well.
In the infield, Garvie has moved senior Abby Holton to second base after spending some time previously at shortstop and third — a move Holton was a little hesitant to make at first.
“Abby’s coming into her own over there,” Garvie said. “We did a little activity in practice one day, and I gave them player profiles, which included mine, my assistants and some previous girls I’ve coached. I asked them to put us on the field, and Abby ended up putting herself at second base. She’s solid there, and she’ll get a lot more balls there than shortstop. Sometimes, it’s just that little shift.”
Senior Jaiden Feeheley will get the nod at first for Ruston where she started her entire sophomore season but played behind Shelby Freeman last season, who returned from injury.
“Jaiden was nervous coming into this season; I think she thought she had something to prove,” Garvie said. “But she has grown so incredibly much as a person and as a player. The first day I met her, she told me she didn’t know if softball was for her. And I told her that wasn’t an option.”
Ruston will also get meaning minutes from some younger players: sophomore Jayla Spears at third, and a pair of freshmen in Aubrey Stoehr at shortstop and Annaliese Doss behind the plate.
“Aubrey is just so natural,” Garvie said. “There’s some days where she thinks she has to be perfect, and I’m thinking “You don’t know how good you are.” She covers so much ground for us, and she’s so mature. She runs the infield and she talks. She’s a huge blessing.
“Jayla for us is practically a newcomers — she’s only played maybe one-and-a-half games last year, but the connection that she and Aubrey have is amazing. And Annaliese back there — we have high standards behind the plate, and she will achieve them. As soon as she settles in back there, she’ll be a tough contender.”
From a schedule perspective, Garvie is never one to back away from a challenge, even electing to play top-tier Calvary Baptist in an exhibition game back on February 10.
“We’re in a situation where we’ll be competitive, but we should be strong,” Garvie said. “Our district is always strong. Every single game we play, we’ll have to play to win and stay locked in for all seven innings.”
Due to inclement weather, Ruston’s contest with Haughton has been moved to Monday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m.
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(Senior Carter Love pitched three hitless innings in Ruston’s win. Photo by Marla Freeman)
By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High (3-1) fired on all cylinders Monday night at J.C. Love Field on the campus of Louisiana Tech University.
Between hitting, scoring and lockdown pitching the the Bearcats downed the Byrd Yellowjackets(0-5) 10-1 after getting runs in nearly every inning played.
Ruston senior pitcher Carter Love got the nod for the mound, pitching three innings and surrendering no hits while striking out three Yellowjackets. Senior Eli Crawford came in for the top of the fourth and struck out one, as well.
“It was an all around really good game for us,” Ruston High head coach Bryan Beck said. “Carter got the start for us tonight as a true two-way for us, both on the mound and batting in the nine-hole spot. We knew we had a pitch count on him, and we wanted to get a good quality start out of him. He really came through for us at the plate, too.
“The bullpen did a great job for us, and we were able to get a lot guys at bats for us. We had some small-ball working, and we let them hit and they produced in some big time runners-on-base situations for us. It was a really good night for us to win the ball game.”
The Bearcats got up early in the bottom of the first inning after senior Jake Simmons reached on an error and scored senior Peyton Martin to take a 1-0 lead.
Ruston scored two more in the bottom of the second after Love hit a line drive into right field to score senior Caleb Hampton. Junior Jackson Lee grounded into a double-play on the next at-bat, which allowed junior Jackson Burroughs to score and lead 3-0 going into the top of the third.
The Bearcats would get four runs total in the bottom of the third inning, starting with Simmons scoring after a groundout by junior Lander Smith. Burroughs would single in the next at-bat, scoring sophomore Dillion Williams. After sophomore Davis DeMoss was entered as a courtesy runner for Burroughs, junior Kenden Freeman would rip a line drive single to centerfield to score DeMoss. Freeman would advance to third base on a wild pitch in the next at-bat for Love, who would then score from third after Love hit a ground ball into left field, giving Ruston a 7-0 lead.
Simmons scored again in the bottom of the fourth inning on a single by Williams, who would then score two batters later thanks to a Burroughs fly ball to left field. Ruston led 9-0 heading into the top of the fifth inning.
Burroughs would hit a sacrifice fly into right field in the bottom of the sixth for the Bearcats’ final run of the night, scoring Williams.
The lone run of the night for Byrd came on a wild pitch in the top of the fifth.
Martin, Williams, Burroughs and Love all finished the game with multiple hits, while Simmons finished the night with two stolen bases.
The Yellowjackets were held to just one hit on the night while committing five errors.
The Bearcats will open the Trey Altick Classic Thursday, Feb. 20, against Hahnville High School. First pitch is set for 5:45 p.m.
“We’re really going to have it cut out for us this weekend,” Beck said. “It’s some really tough teams coming. We have John Curtis, Hahnville, St. Charles-Cathloic, and we’ll close with Captain Shreve. We are going to find out really quick what we have. We’ll have all of pitching ready, and we’re going to have to go out and play our brand of baseball. We can’t make any mistakes, and I think it’s going to be a really good weekend.”
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Taylor Martinez and the Lady Cougars are the No. 2 seed in the Select School Division IV playoffs. (photo by Darrell James)
by Malcolm Butler
Four Lincoln Parish girls hoops teams qualified for the upcoming Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs as Cedar Creek, Ruston High, Choudrant High and Simsboro High will all be heading to postseason.
Cedar Creek headlines the group as the highest seed with the Lady Cougars earning the No. 2 seed in Select School Division IV with a 26-3 record and an unblemished mark on their way to the District 1-1A title. Head coach Katie Hall’s team earned a first round bye and will host the winner of No. 15 St. Frederick vs. No. 18 Central Private.
“Throughout the last 10 months, we have referenced this part of the season our workouts,” said Hall. “We worked hard in June to prepare for this time of the season. We got through preseason conditioning to prepare for this part of the season. This is when it counts and this is what it matters. But at the same time, I feel like we have been able to enjoy the journey thus far.
“These girls have worked extremely hard these past 10 months and they are being rewarded with having the potential of hosting playoff games at home until the semifinals. I am excited for them to have this opportunity in front of our fans in our community at Cedar Creek.”
St. Frederick, a former district rival, is 17-5 on the season while Central Private is 14-10. Hall said the contest would be scheduled for February 24th.
Ruston High was the last team in for the Non-Select Division I bracket as the Lady Bearcats earned the No. 28 seed by virtue of wins over Ouachita and West Monroe in their last two games of the season. Ruston will travel to face No. 5 Barbe Thursday at 6 p.m.
“This season has been filled with challenges, from battling injuries to finding ourselves in tough situations we shouldn’t have been in,” said head coach LaShanda Cooper. “Despite the obstacles, these young ladies have put in more work than ever before, pushing themselves both physically and mentally.
“It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch them grow, learning to embrace the process whether things are going well or not. As we reached the latter part of the regular season, we emphasized the importance of finishing strong. And these young ladies rose to the occasion, which is why we’ve earned the 28th seed.”
Barbe is 29-3 on the season with their lone losses coming against Southern Lab, Lafayette Christian, and Sulphur. The winner of this game would face the winner of No. 12 Northshore and No. 21 Benton.
Choudrant and Simsboro both earned a spot in the Class B playoffs.
Simsboro is the No. 18 seed and will travel to face No. 13 seed Hathaway. Game day and time yet to be determined. The Lady Tigers posted a 13-14 record on the season, going 4-4 in District 1B action and finishing third behind league champion Quitman and runner-up Weston.
Lacassine posted a 10-14 record on the season competing in District 6B. The winner will face No. 2 seed Bell City.
“I’m hoping Lacassine will get in touch with me because with everybody being out of school today I can’t call the school and try to get in touch with the coach and I don’t have that coach’s number,” said head coach Matt Herring. “I’ve tried to look through the teams they’ve played to see if I have a number of a coach that might have played them to try and get the Lacassine coach’s number, but I don’t have a number of any coach they played, so I’m hoping they will contact me.
“I’ve been watching them on film. I’ve kind of been watching them since last week. They’re like us — they play man-to-man, fullcourt/halfcourt. They’re very similar to Castor, which plays a lot like us. We’re all in the same mold. I think it should be a good, competitive game. I’d be shocked if it doesn’t end up being a close game.”
Choudrant is the No. 20 seed and will travel to face No. 13 seed Hathaway. The Lady Aggies posted a 10-21 record but won the District 2B title. Choudrant won seven of their final nine ball games.
Hathaway posted a 16-17 record on the season competing in District 6B. The winner of this game will face No. 4 seed Quitman.
Gametime for that game is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday.
The game will be a rematch of a first-round playoff game last year when Hathaway won big over the Lady Aggies.
“So, I do know a lot about that,” said Lady Aggies coach Brandy Roberson. “I had two or three kids out with the flu when I went down last year, and I had the flu, too, so that wasn’t a game to remember. But they’re not quite as good as they were last year, although that district always produces good teams, and we’re a little better than we were last year.
“If we can handle that full-court pressure they love down south, I think we have a shot. If we can handle the ball and get through their pressure, I think we can compete. That’s the goal — to settle down and compete. It’s going to be really mental for us.”
BATON ROUGE, La. – During Love the Boot Week, April 5-13, 2025, Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) has partnered with Coca-Cola in spearheading the recycling of plastic bottles and aluminum cans for litter cleanup events happening in 27 parishes. This effort, facilitated by the Osprey Initiative, will lead to thousands of bottles and cans being diverted from the landfill. Love the Boot Week is Louisiana’s largest litter removal and beautification effort held during Earth Month, with events organized by businesses, non-profits, schools, governments, and families in all 64 parishes. Events in eligible parishes can sign up for recycling when registering for Love the Boot Week at LoveTheBoot.org.
“Thank you to Coca-Cola for continuing to fund recycling during Love the Boot Week,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “It takes all of us working together to keep our communities clean. If you are having a Love the Boot cleanup in one of the 27 parishes where recycling is available, I encourage you to participate in this important effort to divert cans and bottles from the landfill.”
“At Coca-Cola, our bottles and cans can live many lives, and efforts like this to collect and recycle are fundamental to that process,” said Scott Ryan, Vice President of Franchise Operations for The Coca-Cola Company. “We’re proud to sponsor and participate in Love the Boot Week again this year and commend Keep Louisiana Beautiful for their leadership in litter reduction in the state.”
With support from Coca-Cola, Osprey Initiative will facilitate recycling from litter cleanup events in the following parishes: Acadia, Ascension, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, Evangeline, Grant, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston, Orleans, Ouachita, Plaquemines, Rapides, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Vermilion.
The recycling program will include a combination of pick-up and drop-off services, and 21 regional offices of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will serve as recycling drop-off locations for Love the Boot events.
This is a significant expansion from the 2024 recycling effort, which was successful in collecting 13,891 aluminum cans and plastic bottles at 62 sites in 15 parishes. Last year during Love the Boot Week, 19,441 individuals volunteered a total of 100,712 hours at 760 events in all 64 parishes, leading to the removal of 347 tons of litter. In addition to litter removal, volunteers focused on community beautification, planting 921 trees and 4,408 plants, and refurbishing 366 gardens.
Recycling bags will be shipped from Osprey to those who sign up for recycling. Osprey will pick these bags up, sort the material, and deliver the recyclables to a recycling facility.
“When items are properly recycled, they don’t end up littering our environment or entering our landfills,” said Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director. “Not only does recycling reduce waste, but it also requires less energy to use recovered materials when making products in comparison to virgin materials. We are grateful to Coca-Cola for funding recycling at Love the Boot Week events, so the bottles and cans collected can be repurposed rather than ending up in a landfill.”
Everyone in every parish is invited to register for a cleanup or beautification event and/or sign up to volunteer for Love the Boot Week at LoveTheBoot.org.
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The memory of Owen Robinson will live on for the Cedar Creek powerlifting program.
And Saturday was a raw example of it.
The former Cedar Creek multisport athlete who tragically passed away in a car accident last summer now has his name on the school’s JV powerlifting event.
The oldest son of Jeff Robinson and Brooke Preaus St. John, Owen had spent his elementary and high school days at Cedar Creek.
He played football for the Cougars and was an integral part in the boys powerlifting team winning the state title in 2021. Owen still holds the school record in the deadlift in the 165-pound weight class at 530 pounds.
And on Saturday Cedar Creek student athletes as well as competitors from around the area came together for the competition and to remember Owen.
“Saturday was a special day for our program,” said Cedar Creek head coach Jacob Angevine. “We had so many young kids compete in their last meet of the year and one senior the last meet of her career. To be able to celebrate Owen with this meet meant everything to all of us.
“His spirit was felt by all and I’m so glad that Jeff and Brooke allowed us to name this meet after their son. It makes it even more special that the Cedar Creek JV Meet was the first meet Owen got to compete in his freshmen year. It’s hard not to get emotional thinking about it. This is where he fell in love with powerlifting and I hope so many others did on Saturday, too.”
And as if the emotions brought by remembering Owen weren’t already enough, Angevine and the Cedar Creek program was also moved by the performance of senior Amelia Reynolds. The Cedar Creek Lady Cougar lifter finished third in the 123-pound weight class in her final competition in the green and gold with a three-lift total of 355 pounds.
“The highlight of the day for me was watching Amelia compete in her last meet ever,” said Angevine. “She has fought a lot of health issues over the last year and she was able to pull a PR on deadlift that she has not pulled since last year. Once she saw all three white lights she let out a huge “YES!” on the platform and pumped her fists.
“We had a big hug and then she immediately went to hug her mom. The emotion that was in that hug is exactly why I love this sport. It is you vs the bar, nothing else.”
The other Cedar Creek lifters that reached the podium was Harshaan Lally, who finished second in the 181-pound classification with a three-lift total of 1,000 pounds, and Lexie Vance who finished third in the 165-pound class with a total of 580 pounds.
“We know Owen was smiling all day,” said Angevine.
February always catches me off guard. As soon as I’ve flipped the calendar page, the month is nearly over. After today – Feb. 18 – only 10 days remain in February 2025.
I know; I know. While the difference between 28 days and 30 or 31 doesn’t seem like much, it still feels as if February slips away before we’ve even had a chance to settle into it. Time moves fast through the hourglass – often faster than we’d like. Maybe it’s the March winds that always seem to arrive early. Lately, they’ve been blowing the calendar pages over faster and faster.
That fleeting nature makes February a good time to reflect on something bigger than just a short month. It reminds us that life itself is short. James 4:14 puts it plainly: “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
At first, that’s not a very comforting thought. We like to believe we have all the time in the world. We cast off things that matter – reaching out to a friend, spending time in prayer, following where God leads – because we assume tomorrow is always just around the corner – or on the other side of the calendar page. But February reminds us otherwise.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” That doesn’t mean we should live in fear of time slipping away. Instead, it means we should live with intention. If we recognize life’s brevity, perhaps we’ll stop wasting time on things that don’t matter and start investing in what does.
Actually, it’s easy to think that only the big moments in life truly matter – the milestones, the major decisions, the once-in-a-lifetime experiences. But scripture reminds us that God works just as powerfully in the minor, everyday moments. Jesus spoke of the widow’s two small coins (Luke 21:1-4), showing that even a simple act of faith can have great significance.
A brief prayer whispered in the morning, a kind word to a stranger, a moment of gratitude – these seemingly slight things shape our hearts and deepen our faith. Small moments have significance. When we recognize the value of each moment, we begin to see our days not as something to rush through, but as opportunities to walk closely with God.
What does that look like? It might mean choosing meaningful conversations over mindless distractions. It might mean spending more time in God’s word instead of scrolling through endless newsfeeds. It might mean setting aside worry over things we can’t control and focusing instead on the eternal promises God has given us. It might mean we need to pay more attention to the eternal view than the transient view this earthly realm offers.
While February reminds us of life’s brevity, faith reminds us that this life isn’t all there is. Corinthians II 4:18 encourages us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
In other words, while our days on earth may be limited, what we do with them can have lasting impact. Every moment spent drawing closer to God, showing kindness or sharing His truth is a moment invested in something that outlasts even time itself.
Let’s make (the rest of) February count. As this shortest month flies by, maybe it’s a good opportunity to pause and ask: What am I doing with the time I’ve been given? Am I spending it on trivia that will fade, or am I investing in what will endure?
Because whether February has 28 days or 29, whether life feels long or fleeting, one thing is certain: Eternity is ahead. And that’s something worth keeping in perspective.
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Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
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The Grambling State University baseball team by as many as eight run, but couldn’t hold on Alabama A&M’s rally, falling 15-14 in the Cactus Jack HBCU Classic at Daikin Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Tigers beat Jackson State 8-7 and Southern 20-10 in their first two games of the event.
On Sunday, GSU (2-1) opened up a 9-1 lead but struggled on to silence AAMU’s (1-2) offense.
The Tigers used six pitchers on the afternoon with Trenton Shaw getting the start. The hard-throwing righty made it 2.0 innings, surrendering five runs on four hits. He registered five strikeouts.
Javier Martinez (0-1) was tagged with the loss after entering the game in the ninth inning and giving up a run. John Decoste, Payton Allen, Derrell Fletcher also saw action on the mound.
Offensively, Grambling State racked up 14 runs on 12 hits with Trey Bridges and Aries Gardner both logging 3 hits. Bridges was 3-for-5with three RBI, two doubles and a triple. Gardner was 3-for-4 with four RBI, a triple and a home run.
In the top of the first inning, Grambling State’s Martavious Thomas and Nyan Hayes drew leadoff walks. Trey Bridges brought both runners around to score with a one out 2-RBI double. After stealing third, Bridges plated the Tigers’ third run on a wild pitch.
Aries Gardner walloped a 2-run home to right field, extending GSU’s lead to 5-0 in the opening frame.
Alabama A&M scored its first run of the contest in the bottom of the first when B Hammons laced an RBI single. GSU pitcher Trenton Shaw got out of a bases loaded jam with a strikeout to end the inning.
GSU responded with another big inning in the top of the second, scoring four runs to go up 9-1. Bridges hit his second RBI double of the day, scoring Thomas who reached base on a walk earlier in the inning. A fielding error at shortstop allowed the Tigers to plate another run. An RBI single by Shannon Brown and an RBI triple by Aries Gardner closed the scoring in the frame.
AAMU scored four runs in the bottom of the second, cutting GSU’s lead to 9-5.
The Tigers made a pitching change in the third inning, replace Shaw with John Decoste. A pair of bases loaded wild pitches allowed Alabama A&M to pull closer, 9-7.
In the top pf the fourth, and runners on second and third for the Tigers, a passed ball allowed another GSU run to come home. A sacrifice fly by Gardner pushed Grambling’s lead to 11-7
Alabama A&M trimmed GSU’s advantage down to 11-10 with three runs in the fifth.
Leading 12-10 in the seventh inning, a sacrifice fly by Cameron Hill made it 13-10. Following a triple by Bridges, Chenar Brow roped a sinle into left field, bring Bridges home and moving to lead to 14-10.
A four-run eighth inning for the Bulldogs tied the game at 14-14. In the ninth, AAMU’s Charles Morris hit a leadoff single. After Brandon Edwards entered the game to pinch run, Issac Castro hit a walk-off RBI single to hand GSU the loss.
Alabama A&M reliever Raymond Clark (0-1) earned the win after giving up one hit with three strikeouts and three walks.
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SOFTBALL
Grambling State split its Friday matchups at the Turner Lake Softball Complex, earning a dominant 9-0 shutout victory over Maryland Eastern Shore (0-1) before falling 8-5 in extra innings to Howard (3-2).
In the opener, the Lady Tigers (2-3) set the tone early, scoring two runs in the first inning. Kamryn Broussard’s RBI triple brought in Kaytlyn Moore, followed by a groundout from Tavia Leadon that allowed Broussard to cross the plate.
Grambling State extended its lead to 4-0 in the second when Cadashia Collins delivered a key single up the middle, driving in Deija Russell and Hailey Hughes.
A five-run fourth inning put the game out of reach, as bases-loaded walks to Collins, Broussard, and Leadon pushed three more runs across before Z’Natria Evans capped the scoring with a two-RBI sacrifice fly.
Erin Gibbs (1-2) was nearly untouchable in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout, allowing just one hit while striking out three over five innings.
Later in the evening, Grambling State (2-4) engaged in a hard-fought battle with Howard, ultimately falling 8-5 in extra innings.
The Lady Tigers struck first in the opening inning on Leadon’s RBI single, but Howard responded with a bases-loaded walk in the second and an RBI double in the third to take a 2-1 lead.
Grambling State tied the game in the bottom of the third when Katelynn Walls lifted a sacrifice fly to score Collins. However, Howard capitalized on defensive mistakes in the fifth to plate two unearned runs, then added another on an RBI double in the sixth for a 5-2 lead.
The Lady Tigers refused to go down quietly. In the seventh, Broussard doubled to center to score Lexi Hope, and Leadon came through with a clutch two-run triple, bringing home Broussard and Collins to tie the game at 5-5 and force extra innings.
However, defensive struggles in the eighth proved costly, as Howard took advantage of errors to score three unearned runs. The Lady Tigers were unable to rally in the bottom half, as Howard’s Jordin King secured the save.
Despite the loss, Grambling State saw strong individual performances. Collins went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while Leadon finished 3-for-4 with three RBI. Broussard and Walls also contributed RBIs. Pitcher Yasmyn Stewart (0-2) battled through eight innings, allowing only two earned runs in a tough loss.
Louisiana Tech softball will face Northwestern State for the 114th time in program history today when the Demons visit Ruston for a 4 p.m. matchup at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with Malcolm Butler providing a call of the action. This marks the first mid-week contest of the season for LA Tech.
This will be the 114th meeting all-time between LA Tech and NSU as the Bulldogs hold a 62-52 advantage. The two schools split the series last season as LA Tech earned a 2-1 victory over NSU in Ruston but fell 8-6 to the Demons in Natchitoches.
The Bulldogs and Demons first met in 1980 with NSU winning the first four contests. Tech won 14 straight over NSU from 1986-89. The two programs have played each other every season since 1985 expect 2010 and 2020.
LA Tech (4-5) enters its first mid-week of the season with a 4-5 record, after going 2-2 in the LA Tech Classic this past weekend. The Bulldogs took down ULM 3-1 on Thursday night to start the four-team event and defeated Southern Miss 7-4 on Sunday night in the final game of the classic. Tech fell to No. 13 Arkansas 9-1 in five innings and Friday, followed by an 9-8 loss in extra innings to the Warhawks on Saturday.
Allie Floyd added two more wins to her name as she moves to 4-2 in the circle. The right-hander from Texas pitched her third complete game of the season on Thursday as she limited ULM to just one run on four hits while matching her career-high in strikeouts with eight.
Floyd picked up a win in relief on Sunday versus USM after she took over for Alyssa Martin who logged a quality start. Martin went 3.0 innings and held the Golden Eagles to one run on three hits while registering three strikeouts. Floyd pitched the final four frames and earned the win as she allowed three runs (two earned) and striking out seven, including three batters in the seventh to secure the victory.
Junior outfielder Alannah Rogers had a solid weekend at the dish, as she recorded 6 hits, including three on Saturday against ULM and two against USM. The Arizona native tallied seven runs on the weekend and now shares the team lead with Claire Raley who has nine.
Raley leads the team with a .481 batting average and 13 hits, while ranking second among LA Tech batters with six RBI. Nicole Hammoude leads the team with seven RBI and ranks second with a .458 average and 11 hits.
South Carolina transfer Reagan Marchant hit her first two collegiate home runs this weekend, including a solo shot versus No. 13 Arkansas and two-run home run against Southern Miss. She is third on the team with nine hits, four of which are four extra bases.
True freshman Elena Heng had a solid weekend at the plate and in the field. Heng recorded a two multi-hit games with two hits against ULM on Saturday and two more on Sunday. She scored two runs, stole two bases, and made several plays in the outfield including a double play assist, and run-down catch that stole extra bases from USM.
The Demons (1-8) enter Tuesday’s contest with a 1-8 record after going 1-3 in the Northwestern State Classic this past weekend. First-year head coach Jenny Fuller picked up her first D1 win as NSU defeated Memphis 4-3 in 10 innings. The Demons would drop two games to Jax State and one to Memphis to finish 1-3.
Brooklynn Stohler leads the team in innings pitched (35.0) and ERA (3.80). Sophia Livers leads the team with eight hits, followed by Riley Schwisow who has seven. The Demons have two players with three RBI and two with two RBI.
Louisiana Tech continues its four-match home stand today when the Bulldogs host rival ULM at the LA Tech Tennis Complex at noon.
LA Tech (7-2) won its sixth straight match in dramatic fashion, defeating North Texas at home by a final score of 4-3. The doubles point ended up being the decider for the Bulldogs as the two squads split the six singles courts.
The ‘Dogs are a combined 30-16 in dual singles matches this spring. Sophomore Zoie Epps continues to pace the team with an 8-1 record while freshman Alice Brook and Maria Tsironi each have six. Brook, playing at the No. 6 position, currently owns the longest winning streak on the team at five matches while Tsironi has won four straight at the No. 3 spot.
It was Ana Rodrigues that provided the clincher in the matchup versus the Mean Green, winning in three sets at the top position. The senior has won three of her last four matches.
In dual doubles, LA Tech is a combined 17-8 having won the doubles point in seven of its nine matches this spring. The pairings of Rodrigues/Epps and Brook/Tsironi each own a record of 6-3. After dropping three of their first four matches, Rodrigues/Epps have reeled off five straight wins at the No. 1 spot.
ULM (2-1), led by third-year head coach Ivone Alvaro, suffered its lone loss of the season at Stephen F. Austin while claiming victories in its two home matches versus Grambling State and most recently a 4-0 win against Alcorn State this past Friday.
The Warhawks are a combined 7-7 in dual singles this spring, owning 2-1 records at the No. 1 and No. 3 positions by Mariam Hatem and Vanja Cado, respectively. Hatem is now in her third season with ULM while Cado is one of three freshmen on the roster.
Meanwhile in dual doubles, ULM is a combined 5-2 with the pairing of Cado and Lucia Jorrin Fernandez providing two of those victories.
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TRACK AND FIELD
The Louisiana Tech men’s and women’s track and field programs closed out the Tyson Invitational on Saturday on several high notes going into Conference USA competition.
The weekend’s highlight for the Bulldogs features the men’s 4×400-meter relay group in the order of Tim Rummelhagen, Sabastian Bradley-Reed, Laeden Tucker and Valentino Rudolph shattering a new men’s indoor program record.
The quartet ran a time of 3:10.32 on Saturday to break a record that had stood for 16 years, when Albert Fullwood, Mike Coleman, Wade McGaha and Demonte Willis ran a time of 3:12.07 during the 2009 season.
Oscar Smith advanced to the 60-meter hurdles finals for the third time in as many meets he has competed in this indoor season. He ran a time of 7.85 in both the prelims and the semifinal rounds to advance to the finals of the meet’s invitational for the event.
Cobe Johnson had himself a stellar day in the triple jump and the long jump, setting new personal marks in both events at 14.72 meters (TJ) and 7.26 meters (LJ). DeMarko Lawler Jr. also set a new personal best in the triple jump at 14.87 meters to finish fifth in the event.
Kimeone McLeod saw a runner-up finish in the women’s 60-meter hurdles, coming in with a time of 8.61. Jamara Patterson secured a top-five finish in the 400 after running an indoor personal best of 54.50 on Friday. Tia Reder also set an indoor best in the triple jump at 12.13 meters.
Donald Lamp PR’d at 19.13 meters in the weight throw to finish in the top 15 among 27 competitors. Rummelhagen’s personal record of 47.76 was good enough to finish among the top 10 in the 400.
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BOWLING
The 11th-ranked Louisiana Tech bowling team moved up one spot to finish 10th at the Mid-Winter Invitational at the Hijinx Family Entertainment Center on Sunday.
“The team continues to find success on the lanes, showing strong performances against top-tier competition,” said head coach Matt Nantais. “While there are still moments where adjustments need to be made for better shot-making, the overall performance has been impressive.
“This past weekend, the team competed in a highly competitive field featuring most of the top 10 teams in the nation. Finishing with an 8-4 record against such elite competition is a strong accomplishment and a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication.
“With a week off, the team will now shift focus to preparing for its upcoming home event in Fort Worth. With only two more regular-season events remaining, followed by the conference championship, the team is determined to continue its strong play in pursuit of a regional bid this year.”
The Bulldogs (64-37) started the best-of-seven bracket play against No. 17 UAB. LA Tech made quick work of the Blazers with a 4-0 sweep. The ‘Dogs started with a 196-184 game-one win to take the early advantage. They would follow that up with two straight games in the 200s with a 200 and 222, winning both games by over 25 pins. Tech would roll a 185 in the final game, but UAB could only shoot a 168.
Louisiana Tech would roll their highest five-game set against No. 8 Sam Houston and win 4-1 to move into the 9-10 place match. The Bulldogs shot over 210 in each of their five games, winning the first three by over 40 pins. A clean 226 in game one, the front four and back five for a 242 in game two, and another clean game in a 233 in the third gave Tech a 3-0 lead. The Bearkats would take the fourth 237-213 before Tech closed out the set with a 221-214 win in game five.
That set up a rematch with No. 14 Wisconsin-Whitewater, a team Tech lost to on the opening day 1,113-1,012. The Bulldogs got behind 2-0 after four opens in the first two games. However, LA Tech rebounded with a 215 and 217 in the next two to even it up. The Warhawks would take game five, and the ‘Dogs would force a game seven after winning the sixth. Unfortunately, Tech only managed one strike in the final game, with UWW taking the set 4-3.
