Jerry Francois was a dominating athlete in the late 1950s for the Eunice High Bobcat Track and Field team.
Francois and his teammates were a force to contend with in the Parish Championships, culminating in the 1956 Parish Meet when they scored 118 points while breaking five records, according to an article in the Eunice News.
Francois was named the Outstanding Trackman, posting a time of 15.5 in the 120 high hurdles, according to the Eunice News.
Francois also won the javelin competition with a winning toss of 162-1.5
Francois was not finished with the competition as he joined three of his teammates to compete in both the 440 and 880 relays.
Later in the season, Francois continued to dominate at the Northwestern Relays, taking first in the javelin and second in the high hurdles.
Later at the SLI Relays (now Louisiana Lafayette), Francois claimed first place in the javelin with a 161 foot, 9 inch toss and took first place in the high hurdles with a time of 16.4 seconds.
He finished the meet as the top point getter.
Francois continued to excel at the 1957 State AA Meet that was held at McNeese, winning the 120 high hurdles event as well as taking first place in the javelin with a toss of 167-1-5 .
He was named “The Outstanding Field Performer,” but Francois would continue to help his team as a member of the 440 relay team which finished in third place with a time of 45.05.
Francois joined Mark Jenkins, Randy Simmons and Clyde Fruge as members of the relay team. Francois also joined his three teammates to run the 880 relay.
The Bobcats finished the State AA Track and Field Meet in fourth place overall with 25 points, trailing Ruston, Homer, and New Iberia in the competition.
Francois was twice honored as best undergraduate athlete at Eunice High School.