There was some excellent track going on at last weekend’s Phil Brusca/Strobach Invitational at Ladue. Many of the area’s top performers were on hand and they did not disappoint.
One of the highlight events was the girls’ 400-meter dash. The top seven finishers all were under 60 seconds and the top three were under 57 seconds. Sumner’s Ja’Ianna Williams won the race in a time of 56.17 seconds. Rachel Culberson of McCluer North was second and Chastity Franklin of Cardinal Ritter was third. There have been several state meets over the years where that many 400-meter runners were under 60 seconds.
McCluer North and McCluer South-Berkeley had some spirited races in the sprint relays. McCluer North edged Berkeley to win the 4×200-meter relay in a time of 1 minute 41.1 seconds. McCluer South-Berkeley came back to win the 4×100 in 47.7 seconds. McCluer North was most impressive in the 4×400 as the team of Kiana Harvey, Demetria Anderson, Michala Woods and Culberson turned in an excellent time of 3:54.11.
Two of the area’s top boys were also on hand in Cardinal Ritter’s Charles Jones and Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC’s Mike Wells. Jones won the 800-meter run in 1:54.3. He also anchored the Lions to a victory in the 4×400-meter relay. Wells was a triple winner in the 100, 200 and 400. He posted winnings times of 10.7 in the 100, 21.7 in the 200 and 48.29 in the 400.
Jasmine Barge of McCluer North continued her stellar performances in the hurdles. She won the 100-meter high hurdles in 14.5 seconds and the 300-meter low hurdles in a sizzling 43.36.
Jordan McClendon of John Burroughs was also a double-winner in the shot put and discus. She won the discus with a throw of 136 feet 4 inches and the shot put with a heave of 42 feet 1 inch.
50 feet 6 inches
Cahokia’s Jamari Ward eclipsed the 50 foot mark for the first time in the outdoor season at last weekend’s Winston Brown Invitational at Edwardsville. The talented sophomore turned in an effort of 50 feet 6 inches to win the triple jump. He hit 50 feet during an indoor meet during the winter. Ward also won the long jump with a leap of 24-5.
Distance standout Patrick Perrier of O’Fallon won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs. He turned in winning times of 4:15.0 in the 1,600 and 9:24.16 in the 3,2000.
Big meet on docket
One of the big meets on the docket this weekend will be the Marion Freeman Clayton Invitational. The final events will be held on Saturday. The Jim Schmuck Invitational at Parkway South will be held on Thursday and Friday.
