Jena High School senior Wyatt Wheeler ended his high school track and field career with a state runner-up title last week at the LHSAA State Outdoor Meet.

Wheeler, who was coming off a first-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles event at the Regional Track Meet April 30 at West Monroe High School, took to the track with the fastest student-athletes in Class 3A last week at LSU in Baton Rouge.

JHS Track Coach Garrett Hoffpauir said rain plagued the state tournament last Friday when Wheeler’s competition was held, but it would not deter his determination to succeed at the highest level afforded to high school athletes.

“He did it,” the coach said shortly after the competition was held. “He placed second in a gutsy run. The last 50 meters was crazy!”

Wheeler finished with a time of 40.71 to win state runner up behind Kalen Antoine of Lake Charles College Prep, who had a time of 40.33. It was a photo finish where the Jena athlete nearly won a state championship.

The JHS senior also beat his regional time of 41.10. The 300-meter hurdles is one of the most technically challenging events in all of track and field with eight hurdles strategically spread out along the 300 meter course with the last hurdle just 10 meters from the finish line.

“We are very proud of him and his accomplishment,” Hoffpauir said. “He is a terrific athlete and he made all of Jena proud in Baton Rouge.”