Doucet wins state title; parish athletes place at state meet

It was a banner day for one parish track athlete at the Class 3A state track meet held this past Saturday at the LSU track facility in Baton Rouge.
Dylan Doucet, the senior javelin thrower for the Pine Prairie Panthers, took home the state title with a winning toss of 174’0”, giving Pine Prairie another state title in the javelin.
Doucet came into the meet confident about his shot at winning the title. After the regional meet, Doucet knew that a great performance was just at his finger tips; especially after having thrown 180’0” in the St. Ed’s meet earlier this season.
“I knew if I could get my timing right and I could get my arm ready to go after the baseball playoffs, I could have a chance,” stated Doucet. “I was just a matter of focusing and making sure that my mind was ready.”
Doucet had an opportunity the last two seasons to take home a state championship, but fell just short of that goal coming out second in 2014 and third last year.
“I came into my senior year with one goal in mind,” said Doucet. “I wanted to win the state title. It feels good to be able to finish my high school career as a state champion. It is something I will never forget. I can always say that I gave it my best.”
Doucet was not sure about the title after the preliminary round of competition, after throwing only 154’0” in his first three attempts.
But a small adjustment allowed the all-around athlete to take his performance to the next level.
“I had to adjust my steps from the first three throws,” commented Doucet. “I was taking too many steps on my approach, so I moved my take off up. On the second to last throw is when I hit the 174’ mark. I knew when I threw the javelin, it was going to be good.”
Still Doucet was the fifth to last thrower in the final round and had to wait for four other guys to finish their last two rounds to know for sure if his mark would hold up.
“I came into the final round in fifth position,” stated Doucet. “I was a little nervous because I thought the guy from North Vermilion had a chance to pass me up. But after his last throw, I knew I was going to win.”
Just for good measure, Doucet let fly a final throw of 172’0”.
Doucet was one of several Evangeline Parish athletes to compete at the state meet.
Other performances of note came in Class 3A and in Class 1A.
Ville Platte High’s Rondrekus Ben placed fourth in the 400-meter run on Saturday. Ben’s time of 50.56 seconds was only 1.3 seconds away from third place and a spot on the podium.
Basile High School’s Rylie James also placed fourth at the Class 1A state meet held on Friday. James’ jump of 33’8” was only nine inches away from third place and a medal.