The Saint Paul’s Track and Field Wolves are striving to dominate this season and shock everybody in the district after a third-place finish at the District 6-5A Championships last season. The Wolves kicked off their season on February 29, 2024 at the PHS-All Comers.

The Track and Field Wolves can be broken down into event groups.

The Sprints

The Wolves currently have the fastest sprinting group in school history, based on school records in the 4x100m and 4x200m relays with times of 43.39 and 1:29.84, respectively. Current junior Callahan Leahy, and current seniors Jack Ourso, Jacob Khashou, and Johnny Schembre broke previous records last year. Because all these sprinters are returning this year, this brings experience that few relay teams have, giving them an advantage over their competitors. They also finished second place in both relays at the District Championships last year, even though Leahy had a hip injury, and Schembre had a fever.

Photo Credit: @callahanleahy/Instagram

Head Coach Al Nastasi is excited about this group’s prior experience and accolades translating to this season. ”The 2023 season bore witness to two school records falling, including one that had been held for 50 years. This was accomplished with entirely underclassmen. Their talent and experience, coupled with the ability to train and work on exchanges more effectively on our new track, gives us plenty to look forward to this year.”

In the 100m and 200m Dash, Leahy and Schembre are both competing for a spot at the Region II-5A Championships. Leahy’s personal records last year in these events were 11.26 and 22.70 seconds, respectively; however, Leahy was the second fastest in District 6-5A for the 60m Dash during the indoor season, only 0.01 seconds behind Covington’s Cedric Thompson. Additionally, Schembre finished fourth place in the 100m Dash at the District Championships, which was fast enough to qualify for the Regional Championships; he also obtained a personal record of 22.82 seconds in the 200m Dash last year.

Photo Credit: Tayler Tabb/MileSplitLA

Ourso and Khashou are ready to show out in the 400m Dash, an event they haven’t focused on until this year. Ourso was the first leg of the 4x400m relay last year, and he always put on a show and put the Wolves in a great spot. Khashou did not run the 400m Dash last year; however, he was spectacular in the 200m Dash, where he finished with a personal record of 22.85 seconds and a fourth-place finish at the District Championships last year. There’s no doubt that with different training, his speed will carry over to the 400m.

Photo Credit: @OursoJack/X

Throwers

The Wolves were somewhat short-handed in throwing events last year; however, this group looks much stronger this year. In the Discus Throw, senior Khalil Reeves is returning after finishing fifth at the District Championships last year, with a personal record of 122’9. Reeves is ready to be one of the best throwers in the district again. The other varsity spot is being competed for by sophomore Joel Scobel, junior Jacob Rebaudo, and seniors Quinton O’Malley and Cayden Arnold.

In the Shot Put Throw, Reeves also excelled last year as he placed second at the St. Tammany Parish Championships, with a personal best of 45’3.

In addition, Senior Cayden Arnold was fantastic in football this year as he was recognized as LHSAA First Team All-State. While this is his first year throwing, it’s safe to expect that his strength and power on the field will carry over to throwing the shot put.

Photo Credit: @CaydenArnold1/X

The Javelin Throw may have been the Wolves’ weakest point in field events last year, but it looks to be one of its strengths this year. Returning senior Austin South has been fantastic at practice and looks to throw even better in competition. Junior Austin Billot won the Javelin Throw at the PHS-All Comers with a throw of 143’3, the best in District 6-5A.

South wants to leave a legacy at Saint Paul’s and make the most of his senior season. ”Senior season is huge as I count down how many meets I have left. It’s all about what legacy I leave for this program and how I can leave it in a better place after I graduate.”

Jumpers

In recent years, the Wolves have been short-handed in the High Jump, Long Jump, and Triple Jump; however, it won’t be this year. In the High Jump, freshman Ethan Ballard went undefeated in his junior high career and was the best pre-freshman in Louisiana with a personal best of 5’8. Senior John Baricev had the same personal record as Ballard last year and is fired up to jump this year.

In the Triple Jump, both Baricev and Ballard will be in the varsity lineup. Baricev placed fifth at the St. Tammany Parish Championships and finished his season with a personal best of 40’3. Ballard was also the best pre-freshman in Louisiana last year with a personal best of 39’3.5 and went undefeated.

In the long jump, Baricev looks to have another great year, following up on his personal record of 20 feet. Sophomore Troy Willis was a stand-out in this event as a pre-freshman and looks to continue that success this season.

In the Pole Vault, senior Preston Olivier has been great for the past couple of years. This indoor season, he qualified for the State Championships with a personal best of 11’7.75. There’s no doubt he’ll be reliable to score points for the Wolves when it matters most.

Olivier can’t wait to see how everybody’s talent on the team plays out this year.” I have high hopes for this season. There is so much young talent in the freshman and sophomore classes, and the upperclassmen are putting the work in as they have for the past few years. I believe this season is going to be one that everybody puts their heart into. Go Wolves!”

Distance

For the past couple of decades, the Wolves have dominated the distance events, and this year may be no different. In the 800m run, junior Edmond d’Hemecourt finished last season with a personal best of 2:12.05 and ran the first leg of the 4x800m relay, which placed third at the St. Tammany Parish Championships last year. D’Hemecourt has worked hard throughout the off-season and is ready to compete for a District Championship.

D’hemecourt has dealt with heart problems, but he knew he could power through and work hard to get back to his top form. ”After my heart surgery in November, I have worked hard to get back in shape. I’ve been running about 130 miles per month since December. I’m feeling great now and can’t wait for this season.”

Photo Credit: @eddie_dhemecourt/Instagram

In the 1600m, returning senior Henry Englehardt has been fantastic. His personal best is 4:49.36, and he committed to Christendom in January 2024. Junior Matthew Awbrey will be running alongside Englehardt this year. Awbrey ran the third leg of the 4x800m relay last year which finished third at the St. Tammany Parish Championships last year, so there’s no doubt this his speed in that relay will carry over to the 1600m.

Photo Credit: @englehardthenry/Instagram

In the 3200m, Englehardt has performed even better than in the 1600m. He qualified for the Regional Championships in his sophomore year and obtained a personal record of 10:05.02. Senior Braden Magliolo will be running alongside Englehardt. Magliolo finished his Cross Country season with a personal record of 17:56.60 in the 3 Mile Run; however, he is expected to be even faster in the 3200m.

The Wolves had several standout performances at the PHS-All Comers, including Leahy’s third-place finish in the 200m, Ourso’s fourth-place finish in the 400m, Reeves’s and Arnold’s third and fourth-place finishes in the Shot Put Throw, Billiot’s win in the Javelin Throw, and Olivier’s win in the Pole Vault. With most of the varsity team being filled with accolades and upperclassmen, it’s safe to assume that the Wolves are going to put on a show when it matters most. The Wolves look to show out at their next meet, the Judy-Baehr Relays, on March 7, 2024.