13-time state medalist Kashie Crockett ready to compete at ULL
MONROE, La. (BVM) ― Coming off an impressive senior season, Kashie Crockett was able to capture the Gatorade Louisiana Track and Field Player of the Year. Crockett now has his sights set on competing for a national championship for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
At 5-foot-8, 150-pounds, Crockett dominated the competition at the Class 5A level. During the Class 5A state meet, Crockett blew the competition away in the 110- and 300-meter hurdle events. Crocket was able to run 13.76 seconds in the 110, a Class 5A state record, and ran 36.42 seconds in the 300, a Louisiana state record.
“He’s a very hard worker; he takes everything he does very seriously,” Ouachita Parish High School head track coach Morgan Smith said. “I always thought of him as another coach on the field. He was always bringing 100% every day.”
Not only did he bring 100% to the track, but he also brought his very best to the classroom. Crockett maintained a 3.86 GPA during his high school career.
“He excels in the classroom,” Smith said. “He’s done a lot of volunteer work…he’s a hard-working kid. He’d go out and work part-time jobs to help his family and he’s just a joy to be around.”
Now with his successful high school career behind him, Crockett is ready to compete at the next level. He stayed in state when he signed a National Letter of Intent to run for the Ragin’ Cajuns at ULL where he’ll compete for head coach Lon Badeaux.
Badeaux is a graduate of ULL and has coached 10 All-Americans, including Morgann Leleux who was an alternate on the 2016 U.S. Olympic team. Badeaux is a well-proven coach and for Crockett, he is someone that can help improve his already impressive skill set.
Crockett has already accomplished so much at a young age. It may be more competitive at the collegiate level, but an athlete like Crockett will relish the opportunity to compete.
“He’s going to a place that is a great environment for him,” Coach Smith said. “It’s a competitive group [he’s joining], having that competition and not just going somewhere to be the guy, is only going to make him better.”
