LPJ Sports Report
RUSTON, La. — Showtime Track Club continued its successful inaugural summer season with a series of strong performances at the Zachary Wings Elite 3rd Annual Mayor’s Cup on June 6 and the River Cities Lawrence Word Classic on June 13, collecting multiple event titles, podium finishes and personal records against athletes from across the region.
The club’s distance runners once again led the way.
Dallas Smith won the 800-meter run at both meets, posting a time of 2 minutes, 31.69 seconds at Zachary before improving to 2:28.77 at River Cities. The 12-year-old also claimed victories in the River Cities 1,500 meters (5:26.33) and 400 meters (1:02.81).
Noah Millien, 13, also enjoyed a standout stretch, winning the 800 meters at both meets in 2:11.87 and 2:10.17, respectively. Millien added a victory in the 1,500 meters with a time of 4:51.88 and finished second in the 400 meters with a personal-best mark of 55.86.
Additional distance contributions came from Jack McGehee, who placed third in the 800 meters and second in the 1,500 meters at River Cities, and Ezekiel Wilson, who finished fifth in the 800 meters and third in the 1,500 meters. Elias Ford delivered one of the top performances of the meet, placing third in the 800 meters before winning the 3,000 meters in 11:50.85.
On the girls’ side, Butter McGehee earned a runner-up finish in the 800 meters and also competed in the 400 meters, while Harper Pilgreen continued her development with a solid effort in the 800 meters at the Mayor’s Cup.
The club’s sprint group also showed significant improvement over the two-meet span.
Brant Youngblood, 15, posted times of 12.61 in the 100 meters, 25.29 in the 200 meters and 58.88 in the 400 meters at Zachary before lowering his 100-meter time to 12.11 at River Cities. He also earned a third-place finish in the 400 meters with a time of 59.19.
Kindal Atwood improved from 14.66 to 14.03 in the 100 meters over the two meets and recorded a 29.96 in the 200 meters. Kate Klepzig also posted season improvements, lowering her 100-meter time from 14.90 to 14.83 and running a season-best 31.59 in the 200 meters.
One of the club’s most versatile performances came from Maddie Lu McGehee at the River Cities meet. McGehee won the 100-meter hurdles in 19.28 seconds, captured the javelin title with a throw of 60 feet, 8 inches, and claimed first place in the triple jump at 29-1.75 while also competing in the 400 meters.
The throws group continued to produce strong results behind Doris Hearn. Hearn earned three third-place finishes at the Mayor’s Cup in the discus, javelin and shot put. She followed that effort with a second-place finish in the discus at River Cities with a throw of 36-3 while also taking third in both the shot put and javelin.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the effort our athletes have shown over these last two meets,” Showtime Track Club coach Morgan Smith said. “We’re seeing athletes improve every week, challenge themselves in new events, and compete with tremendous confidence. Dallas and Noah continue to lead the way in the distance events, our sprinters are making big strides, and athletes like Maddie Lu and Doris are showing great versatility and consistency.
“More importantly, our athletes are learning how to compete, support one another, and represent Showtime Track Club the right way. The future is very bright for this group.”
With multiple event champions, numerous podium finishes and continued personal-best performances, Showtime Track Club enters the next phase of its summer schedule with momentum.
The club will compete next at the AAU Region 11 Qualifier in Hammond from June 18-20. The meet will feature many of the top youth athletes from Louisiana and Mississippi competing for berths in the AAU Junior Olympic Games later this summer in Des Moines.
“Our athletes have worked extremely hard all summer, and now they have the chance to compete on one of the biggest stages in youth track and field,” Smith said. “The goal is to continue improving, compete with confidence, and give ourselves an opportunity to qualify for the Junior Olympics. Regardless of the outcome, we’re proud of how far this group has come in our first season as a club.”
Smith added that the organization is excited to see its athletes pursue personal bests, podium finishes and the opportunity to represent Lincoln Parish on the national stage.
