By Kevin Shannahan

Kevin’s Gallery

Natchitoches’ rich legacy of athletic prowess continues as the Natchitoches Leadership Through Athletics Committee honored student athletes from each high school in the parish at a ceremony Saturday, May 18 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.

The awards ceremony, now in its third year, featured awards in each sport named after an athlete from our parish who excelled at that sport and in life. It is a superb way to honor those who went before us and recognize the generation that is picking up the torch from them. Recently retired NSU Sports Information Director, Doug Ireland, himself a legend in the state’s sports scene, gave the keynote address.

2019 Honorees Include:

Lakeview- Jalen Triplet-Bell, Baseball; Zarious Lewis, Basketball; Ke’Aira Thomas, Basketball; Dillon Longino, Football; Matthew Vaughn, Powerlifting; Jamarrion Bush, Track & Field; Brianna Harrison, Track & Field

Natchitoches Central- Brady Sers, Baseball; Calvin Carpenter Jr., Basketball; Bre’Ana Williams, Basketball; Tre’Von Solitaire, Football; J. Tucker Henderson, Powerlifting; Sarah Demattie, Powerlifting; Collin Serigne, Soccer; Callista Owsley, Soccer; Natalie Sheffield, Softball; Cooper Miller, Track & Field; Catherine Roquemore, Track & Field; Sarah Hicks, Volleyball

St. Mary’s- Brock Zeagler, Baseball; Parker Bankston, Basketball; Matthew Thibodaux, Football; Sammie Phillips, Golf; Matthew Thibodaux, Powerlifting; Ashlyn Beaty, Softball; Rachel Judson, Tennis; Zachary Harrell, Track & Field; Katie Aldredge, Track & Field

The Natchitoches Parish Journal wishes to commend the men and women who worked so hard to bring this wonderful idea to fruition. It was a joy to see young people from all over the parish being rewarded for their performance on – and off – the field. We look forward to next year’s ceremony!

We would also like to extend our congratulations to St. Mary’s Matthew Thibodaux, Male Athlete of the Year and NCHS’ Callista Owsley, Female Athlete of the Year as well as all of the parish’s high school athletes. Well done ladies and gentlemen!