If you have followed JHHS track and field phenom Ciara Gray this spring, you know that her performances in the 100 & 300 hurdles, as well as the long jump and triple jump in the LHSAA Class A district, regionals and state meets has led her to be recognized as one of the most dynamic thinclads the state of Louisiana.

To say that her “star” has been steadily rising is an understatement. On Saturday, May 17th, at the Louisiana State Games in Monroe, LA, that “star” went into orbit. Against some of the best 17 & 18-year-old girls in the south, Gray, who was representing the Flight 337 Team, had two first-place finishes (100-meter hurdles, triple jump) and took second in the long jump. 

Her outstanding ability caught many eyes, including those of Flight 337 coach Kenny Demouchet, who immediately after the meet made the following post on Facebook: “Class of 2026, college coaches, you better call me now, I can assure she won’t be available for long.”

As she has done all spring, the JHHS senior-to-be once again made an assault on the Jackson Parish all-time record books. Her time of 14.63 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles checked in at third all-time in the event which she owns all top ten times ever run by a Jackson Parish hurdler. Her leap of 37 feet 11.85 inches in the triple jump also earned a place in the all-time top ten distances ever recorded in the event.

According to JHHS head track coach, Terrance Blankenship, the plans now call for Flight 337 coach, Demouchet, who is associated with the Adidas shoe company, to take Gray to North Carolina for a national meet later this summer. Stay tuned!