Displaying a effervescent personality that he shared with anyone within earshot Friday afternoon in the Huntington Raider Relays, Landon Gibbs was dominant in his specialty — the high jump.
Recently selected all-state by the Louisiana Track and Field Coaches Association for his performance at the LHSAA indoor state meet, Gibbs left no prisoners in the windy conditions at Lee Hedges Stadium. He managed a 6-foot-7 leap into the wind to take the title at his home meet over second place Javonte Taylor of North DeSoto (6-foot) and third pace Lathan Woodlawn of Airline (6-foot).
“I’m beyond excited to be mentioned for all-state high jump at the state meet,” Gibbs said. “I didn’t have my best performance at state (6-2), but I’m working to get better every week.”
An exceptionally talented wide receiver/quarterback for the Huntington football team, Gibbs has the ability to high point the football better than the average guy who can’t match his leaping ability.
Friday, however, it was all about trying to match the performance of his father, Don Gibbs, who sat on the sidelines Thursday donned in a sun-shielding white hat watching his ubber talented son make the high jump event his own. Don Gibbs owns the Huntington school record with a leap of 6-10 he nailed several decades ago.
“My goal this season is 6-10 ¼, which is the school record, which is held by my dad,” Gibbs said. “It’s very sentimental to me. I’m beyond excited.”
Gibbs has added long jump to his repertoire of events heading into district, regional and state meets over the next few weeks. He hit a 20-07 long jump on Thursday to finish second to Mansfield’s Jayden Hamilton (20-09.25)
“I’m excited about that because I have two chances to make it to state,” he said. “I’m just praying every night that everything goes well the rest of the season.”
Huntington’s Sanjaya Falcon proved he was the Raider event’s fastest man with a 10.80 run in the 100-meter. He topped teammate Chancey Wilkins (10.81) and Byrd’s Kristian Roberson (10.94).
“I overcame a lot of adversity. I got out of the block good, and I just wanted to win. I did everything my coach told me to do — drive, drive and finish,” Falcon said. “But, hey, there’s more to come.”
On the girls side, Huntington’s Jaycie Wallace blitzed the opposition in the 100 with an 11.97 run to top Mansfield’s La’Jordan Boykins (12.09) and North Caddo’s Nasiyah Collins (12.11). The tiny speedster came out of the blocks fast and never ...
