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Greater New Orleans Amateur Athlete of the Month for May

June 6th, 2023


NEW ORLEANS (June 6, 2023) – Kali Magana, the star sprinter for the Louise S. McGehee School, has been selected as the Greater New Orleans Amateur Athlete of the Month for May. Monthly award-winners are selected by the Greater New Orleans Sports Awards Committee, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl. She is the first athlete on record from McGehee to win the monthly honor, which has been presented since 1957.Magana led Louise McGehee to the school's first LHSAA Class 1A outdoor state track and field title by accounting for 32.5 of her team's 74 points. The junior won individual state titles in the 100 (12.15 seconds), 200 (24.59) and 800 (2:20:53). All of those times were personal bests as well as school records, district records and regional records. She also anchored the victorious 4x200 relay team.

"This wasn't about my times. It was about my team," Magana said. "We've never done anything in regionals, we've never done anything in state. This means so much for us."

In addition, Magana captured the Nike National Emerging Elite title in the 800-meter run while competing with the New Orleans Metro Stars at the Armory in New York on May 20. Considered one of the most versatile female athletes in the state, she also set a state record in the 400-meter dash at 56.8 seconds. She holds dual citizenship and is eligible to represent Belize in future Olympic Games. This summer, the senior-to-be will compete in Guatemala and Puerto Rico.

Magana was selected for the honor over a loaded field of sensational athletes.