Many of the area’s top large and small school standouts were on hand at last weekend’s Marion Freeman Clayton Invitational and they did not disappoint.
Among the top small school performers who showed out were Lailah Elliott and Brandon Miller of John Burroughs, Hasani Barr and Jameson Williams of Cardinal Ritter. Elliott was the meet’s top individual performer as she won three events. She won the 100-meter high hurdles in 15.05 seconds. Elliott also finished first in the triple jump with an effort of 36 feet, 6 inches and the high jump with a clearance of 5-4.
Miller, the freshman phenom turned in a couple of sparkling performances in the middle distance events. Miller won the 800-meter run in a winning time of 1 minute 53.87 seconds. He also turned in a spectacular 1:53 split on the anchor leg to rally the Bombers from a big deficit to win the 4×800-meter relay.
Barr of Cardinal Ritter was a double winner in the 200- and 400-meter dashes. His winning time of 47.54 seconds in the 400 is the fastest time in the state. Williams won the 300-meter intermediate hurdles in a time of 38.27. Together, they led the Lions to victories in the 4×200- and the 4×400-meter relays.
On the team front, the Hazelwood Central girls were dominant in the sprints, relays and field events once again. The Hawks swept the sprint relays in impressive fashion, winning the 4×100-meter relay in 47.95 seconds, 4×200 in 1:41.75 and 4×400 in 4:03.02. Shauniece O’Neal won the shot put and discus with throws of 40 feet 4 inches and 139-3, respectively. Deja Ingram was first in the 200 and second in the 100, Destiny Nash finished first in the 300-meter low hurdles in 45.44 and Danielle Frank was first in the 400 in 57.7.
Pattonville’s Jade Moore also had a productive day in the sprints. Moore won the 100-meter dash and finished second in the 200 and 400.
*East St. Louis and O’Fallon girls shine at St. Clair Meet
The girls from East St. Louis and O’Fallon had successful days at the St. Clair County Meet in East St. Louis. Rokelle Stanley of East St. Louis finished first in the 100-meter high hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles. Stanley also tied for first in the high jump with O’Fallon’s Maya Watson-Blake with a clearance of 5-2.
Jariah Turner of East St. Louis finished first in the 400 in 56.72. The Flyerettes also won the 4×100 in 48.0 and 4×400 in 3:56.09. In the field events, Jazzmine Poole was first in the discus with a throw of 140-6 and Evangelynn Harris was first in the shot put with a throw of 45-11.
O’Fallon’s Tamya Houston finished first in the 100 and Kersten Douglas was first in the 200. The Panthers also finished first in the 4×200 in 1:42.07 and 4×800 in 9:59.27.
*Lindbergh shines at Eureka
The Lindbergh girls enjoyed a fine performance at the Eureka Invitational. Alex Rosenberger finished first in the 100 and 200 and ran a leg on the Flyers’ first-place 4×100 relay team. The Flyers also won the 4×800 and Aly Van Cardo finished first in the 800-meter run. McCluer North’s Michelle Owens finished first in the 100-meter high hurdles in 14.81 seconds and 300-meter intermediate hurdles in 46.49.
*What’s on Tap
The road to the state meet in Jefferson City begins this weekend for small schools at the Class 1 and 2 districts meets. Area teams at the Class 1 level will be at New Haven for district competition. Many of the top St. Louis area Class 2 teams will be at Monroe City on Saturday for its district meet. The top four finishers in each event will qualify for Sectional competition on Saturday, May 13.
Conference meets will be held throughout the St. Louis metro area this weekend. The Metro Catholic Conference meet will be held today at DeSmet as will the Suburban XII Conference Girls Meet at Kirkwood. On Friday, the Suburban West Meet will be held at Fox, the GAC North Meet will be at Wentzville Liberty and the GAC Central Meet will be at Washington. The Suburban XII Conference Boys Meet will be held at Summit on Saturday, as will be the Lutheran South Invitational.
