2019 Clarion Herald Elite Track and Field team

Story and photos by Ron Brocato,
Clarion Herald Sports

It was a record-breaking year for three local Catholic school track and field performers, and all are worthy of post-season recognition for their achievement  on the Clarion Herald’s 2019 Elite Track and Field Team.

St. Katharine Drexel Prep’s senior Alia Armstrong became the nation’s premier female prep hurdler at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Track and Field championship meet, then set state composite records in the 100- (13.39) and 300- (42.60) meter hurdles events.

Also setting state records was Academy of the Sacred Heart senior distance specialist Mary Nusloch in winning the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.

The two have been selected as the outstanding girls’ track athletes.

Joining them for individual accolades is Brother Martin senior Hunter Appleton, the  two-time state Class 5A champion in the 3,200-meter run, and winner of the 1,600-meter event at this year’s state meet.

Jesuit’s Jack Battaglia is honored for his 177-foot javelin throw in the state meet, the best field effort of this year.

Yearly honorees

Male Athletes

1999 – Gerald Green, St. Augustine.

2000 – Jeffrey Fisher, St. Augustine.

2001 – Patrick Gavin, St. Paul’s.

2002 – Ryan McMullin, Abp. Rummel.

2003 – Nick Child, Abp. Rummel.

2004 – Bret Guidry, Jesuit.

2005 – Track: Kayjuan Williams, St. Augustine; Field: Preston Chatham, St. Paul’s.

2006 – Track: Bret Guidry, Jesuit; Field: Preston Chatham, St. Paul’s.

2007 – Track: Ian Rousey, Holy Cross; Field: Kyle Rose, Jesuit.

2008 – Track: Kenneth Schiffman, Bro. Martin; Field: Christian Lacey, Abp. Shaw.

2009 – Track: Austin Grows, Holy Rosary; Field: Daniel Obioha, Bro. Martin.

2010 – Track: Michael Alphonse, Holy Rosary; Field:  Tyrann Mathieu, St. Augustine.

2011 – Track: Cyril Grayson, Abp. Rummel; Field: Jarvis Harris, Jesuit.

2012 – Track: Cyril Grayson, Abp. Rummel; Field: Cameron Robichaux, St. Paul’s.

2013 – Track: Zachary Albright, St. Paul’s; Field: Cameron Robichaux, St. Paul’s.

2014 – Track: Zachary Albright, St. Paul’s; Field: Accord Green, Holy Rosary.

2015 – Track: Eric Coston, St. Paul’s; Field: Kristian Fulton, Abp. Rummel.

2016 – Track: Eric Coston, St. Paul’s; Field: Kristian Fulton, Abp. Rummel.

2017 – Track: Eric Coston, St. Paul’s; Field: Ja’Marr Chase, Abp. Rummel.

2018 – Track: Hunter Appleton, Bro. Martin; Field: Field: Ja’Marr Chase, Abp. Rummel.

Female Athletes

1999 – Staci Cusimano, Mount Carmel.

2000 – Krissie Cusimano, Mount Carmel.

2001 – Cassie Hanan, St. Mary’s Dominican.

2002 – Kerriann Langley, Mount Carmel.

2003 – Kerriann Langley, Mount Carmel.

2004 – Alison Richardson, St. Mary’s.

2005 – Track: Judith Schultheis, Abp. Blenk; Field: Katelyn Rodrigue, Dominican.

2006 – Track: Judith Schultheis, Abp. Blenk; Field: Katelyn Rodrigue, Dominican.

2007– Track: Meggi Schmidt, Academy of the Sacred Heart; Field: Candace Burgard, Mount Carmel.

2008 – Track: Angela Laborde, St. Scholastica; Field: Kiera Thomas, Academy of Our Lady.

2009 – Track: Devinn Rolland, Cabrini; Field: None selected.

2010 – Track: Kayla Quincy, Xavier Prep; Field: Devinn Rolland, Cabrini.

2011 – Track: Andi Aguilar, Mount Carmel; Field: Amalchi Eweni, Xavier Prep.

2012 – Track: Kayla Quincy, Xavier Prep; Field: Dominique Clegget, Cabrini.

2013 – Track: Mia Meydrick, Dominican; Field: Ellie Silvia, Acad. of Sacred Heart.

2014 – Track: Mia Meydrick, Dominican; Field: Ellie Silvia, Acad. of Sacred Heart.

2015 – Track: Kayla Celstine, Cabrini; Field: Andrea McDonald, Dominican.

2016 – Track: Alisia Terry, Ursuline; Field: Samantha Zelden, St. Scholastica.

  2017 – Track: Mary Nusloch, Acad. of the Sacred Heart; Field: Caroline Standley, Abp. Hannan.

2018 – Track: Mary Nusloch, Academy of the Sacred Heart; Field: Claire Moreau, Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Ron Brocato can be reached at [email protected].