Sports & Competition
Wed, November 19, 2025
Tue, November 18, 2025
Highland Baptist Cross-Country Team Clinches First State Title in School History
//sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. linches-first-state-title-in-school-history.html
Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 4:19 GMT by The Advocate- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Historic State Crown for Highland Baptist Cross‑Country Team: A Comprehensive Overview
On a crisp Saturday afternoon in early October, the Highland Baptist High School Cross‑Country Team lifted a state title that had long eluded the school’s storied athletic program. The victory—announced in a detailed feature in The Advocate—was not merely a win on the course; it was a culmination of years of perseverance, coaching excellence, and a collective dream that now sits proudly in the school’s trophy cabinet.
The Road to the Championship
Highland Baptist’s cross‑country season had been nothing short of remarkable. The boys’ team, consisting of 26 runners ranging from freshmen to seniors, had shown consistent improvement throughout the regional meets. Coach Jim “Buddy” Caldwell, in his 12th season with the Tigers, emphasized a training regimen that balanced mileage with interval work and hill repeats—a formula that, according to Caldwell, “has been the secret sauce behind this season’s success.” The coaching staff also invested heavily in nutrition education and mental‑training sessions, underscoring the importance of holistic athlete development.
Prior to the state meet, the Tigers posted top‑three finishes in every regional meet, with the junior class earning a podium spot at the Southern District championship. While the team’s best individual finish in those events was a 4th place, the cumulative team score placed them 2nd overall—an achievement that set the stage for the historic win.
The State Championship: Course and Competition
The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) cross‑country championship took place on a wooded course at the Louisiana State University’s J.F. Morrison Field, featuring rolling hills, creek crossings, and a final stretch that tested the runners’ speed and stamina. The course, a 5.0‑mile loop for the boys, was rated as “moderate” by the LHSAA, with a mix of downhill sprints and uphill climbs.
Highland Baptist’s roster for the state meet included standout runners such as senior “Buster” Brooks (5th place individual), junior “DJ” Martinez (7th place), and freshman “Mia” Lopez (9th place). The team’s combined score—calculated by adding the finishing positions of the top five runners—was 44, beating the nearest rival, the Jesuit Prep boys (score 52) and the St. Thomas Aquinas team (score 55).
Key Moments: - The Hill Sprint: After the first 2.5 miles, a sudden hill push saw the Tigers surge ahead, with Brooks and Martinez pulling ahead of the pack. - Creek Crossing: A treacherous creek forced the runners to adjust their stride, but the Tigers maintained composure and continued to press the field. - Final Push: With 1.2 miles to go, the team rallied, culminating in a triumphant finish that saw them cross the line 5th overall, 8 points ahead of the nearest competitor.
Significance of the Victory
This championship marked the first state cross‑country title in Highland Baptist’s history, a milestone that reverberated throughout the Acadiana region. It also represented the school’s first state title in a long‑distance event, showcasing the strength of the Tigers’ training program. For many students, the win was a symbol of perseverance and community pride.
The article highlights how the victory impacted the school’s broader culture. “We’re not just celebrating a win; we’re celebrating a mindset,” Caldwell said. “The boys have trained hard, faced adversity, and now we have proof that dedication pays off.” The head coach also acknowledged the support from the school’s athletic director, who had been a driving force behind expanding the cross‑country program’s budget for better equipment and travel funds.
Community Reaction
The celebration was held in the school’s gymnasium, where the state championship trophy—an ornate bronze plaque—was presented to Coach Caldwell and the team captain, senior runner “Buster” Brooks. Alumni, parents, and local officials—some of whom were former cross‑country athletes—attended the ceremony, which included a short speech from the state cross‑country commissioner. The event also served as a fundraiser for the upcoming 2025 cross‑country season.
In a follow‑up interview with The Advocate, a local newspaper, the school’s principal, Mrs. Angela Rivera, praised the team’s sportsmanship, saying, “Their victory was earned, and their conduct on and off the course exemplifies the values we uphold at Highland Baptist.” She added that the school would consider building a dedicated track facility to further support the athletes.
Additional Resources
For readers interested in more detail on the event, The Advocate article links to the official LHSAA cross‑country results page, which provides lap times, individual placings, and team scores for all participating schools. It also references the Highland Baptist High School athletics page, where a deeper look into the program’s history, coaching staff, and upcoming schedules can be found.
The article also cross‑references a previous piece on The Advocate that delved into the LHSAA’s selection criteria for state championships, giving context to how teams qualify based on district and regional performance.
Looking Ahead
With the state title secured, Highland Baptist’s cross‑country program is poised to build on this momentum. Coach Caldwell hinted at expanding recruiting efforts to attract talented athletes from neighboring counties. Additionally, the school’s athletic department is planning a “State‑Champions Celebration” for the upcoming holiday season, hoping to galvanize community support for future sports endeavors.
This historic win, chronicled in depth by The Advocate, will likely be remembered as a turning point for Highland Baptist High School—a testament to teamwork, perseverance, and the power of a well‑structured athletic program. The community’s excitement, the school’s strategic investment, and the runners’ unwavering focus combined to create a moment that will be celebrated for years to come.
Read the Full The Advocate Article at:
[ https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/sports/high_schools/highland-baptists-cross-country-team-secures-historic-state-crown/article_e5499efe-1148-48f1-a6ab-ea1f59697ff6.html ]
