The goal of every athlete is to be called a champion.
For track athletes, the first step to seeing that goal through begins next week.
Last year, Mt. Hermon’s Gerald Bunch was called a champion twice, after he won a pair of state titles in the 200-meters and the long jump.
Washington Parish has seven schools — five in LHSAA and two in MAIS.
There are three levels of qualifying meets in LHSAA and MAIS.
In LHSAA, district meets take place next week. The top four event finishers in district advance to the regionals where the top three from each event qualify for state. The state meet takes place May 4 (Classes B and C), May 5 (Classes 1A and 2A) and May 6 (Classes 3A-5A).
In MAIS, district meets take place next week, which is followed by South State and then the Overall Meet. The top four from each event in the district meet move to the South State Meet and then the top four from there go to the Overall Meet. The field events at the overall meet is May 5 with the track events the following day.
District meets for all seven schools take place at various locations Monday-Thursday of next week.
The District 8-4A Meet (Franklinton) mostly takes place at Pearl River. Pole-vaulting event was at Lakeshore.

Three schools each compete  Wednesday and Thursday.  District 10-2A (Pine) heads to Christ Episcopal in Covington. District 7-3A (Bogalusa) goes to Jewel Sumner. District 8-1A (Varnado) heads to St. Martin’s Episcopal.
On Thursday, District 7-B (Mt. Hermon) athletes go to West Jefferson and MAIS District 5AAA (Ben’s Ford Christian School and Bowling Green School) go to Silliman Institute for their meet.