Lutheran South Academy's Benson on first state crown in 20 years: 'Everybody was ecstatic in the win'

The last time the Pasadena Lutheran South Academy (LSA) boys track and field team were crowned state champions, gas averaged a little more than $1 and Friendster was the lone social media platform in the world. 

During Mother's Day weekend, the program's Jaylin Lowery clocked a 3:24.92 in the 4x400-meter relay to lead the Pioneers to their second Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) title this century, according to the high-school sports website VYPE Houston, Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported.

Head coach Gene Benson told the website that the finish set off an unforgettable moment of euphoria for the team.

“Everybody was out there hooping and hollering,” Benson said, per the report. “Everybody was ecstatic in the win.”

The fact that a two-decade drought came to an end wasn't lost on the coach, who has been at LSA for more than 30 years.

"It's been a while," Benson quipped in the report.

VYPE Houston reported that the Pioneers' triumph in the 4x400-meter relay allowed them to score 103 overall points at state, essentially edging out San Antonio's TMI Episcopal by 21 points for the championship.

“It’s always good to win the title like this," Benson said in the report. "It’s exciting for everybody. We knew we had a chance and went in there and the athletes performed. Which is what they were there to do.”

For Benson, the title is nothing short of déjà vu.

According to VYPE Houston, LSA piled on the points until it was the last one standing as it did in 2002.

Benson believes his current program will inspire many youth who love track but are on the fence about joining the team. He said the Pioneers will have the benefits of depth and experience in their title defense come next year.

“You always hope a state championship will excite athletes in the school who maybe haven’t thought about running track," the coach told VYPE Houston. “We also have a good group of athletes coming back for next year and that’s always exciting knowing that many coming back participated in the state championship and would like to have another one.”