100 Years Ago La Grange Ran To the State Track & Field Title

Photograph of the five members of the La Grange High School track and field team who won the state championship in Austin in 1923. Walter Mensing, center, also won two gold medals for high hurdles and pole vaulting and two silver medals for the 100-yard dash and as a member of the one mile relay team. Right of him in the dark shorts is Edgar von Rosenberg. Superintendent Peace is standing on the right end. The other track team members were Ralph Schneider, Rudolph Kubena, and Albert Diers. Photo courtesy of Fayette Heritage Archives This banner honoring the 1923 Leps state champs still flies in the LHS gym.

In two weeks the La Grange High School track team will begin its season with a meet in Weimar.

This is a special year for Leps track as it marks the 100th anniversary of the school’s very first state title.

The 1923 La Grange boys won the Class B track team title in Austin.

In the May 10, 1923 edition of the La Grange Journal, a story detailed the heroes’ welcome that the members of the track team received on the courthouse lawn. There were speeches, a parade and the chamber of commerce band performed at the championship celebration.

By far the star of that 1923 team was Walter Mensing, who won the state title in the high hurdles and the pole vault and was second in the 100yard dash and a member of the state runner-up mile relay team.

Two years ago the Leps nearly duplicated the feat of the 1923 team as they finished second in the 4A team standings at the state meet in 2021.

Last year’s track team was another state title contender before injuries and ineligibilities hit them.

This year’s boys track team could make another run at a high finish at state with the likes of Bravion Rogers, Phillip Arceneaux, D.J. Davis, Austen Diggs and others making for some strong relay groups. Rogers (an A&M football recruit) could also qualify in some individual events, and Jaren Woods is trying to make a return trip to state in the discus.

– Jeff Wick