This week’s column is dedicated to some St. Louis area athletes who are making it happen.
Pattonville High basketball standout Mikala McGhee gave a verbal commitment to attend Missouri State University next season. The 6’0” McGhee is one of the area’s top basketball players and most versatile all-around athletes. As a junior, she was selected the Suburban North Conference Player of the Year after averaging 17.1 points, 10 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 3.6 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. McGhee was also a member of the St. Louis American Girls “Fab Five” First Team All-Stars in 2011. She is also a standout player in softball and soccer.
Go, girls Stars
I must give a shout out to the girls softball team at my alma mater, McCluer North. The Stars won the Suburban North Conference championship with an undefeated record and won their second consecutive Class 4 district title last weekend, beating Hazelwood West 7-0 in the finals. McCluer North was 19-5 heading into Wednesday’s sectional contest against St. Joseph. Congratulations, young ladies.
Pioneer scorer
Sophomore Eric McWoods is enjoying an excellent season for the Kirkwood High soccer team. The talented forward is the Pioneers’ leading scorer with 12 goals and five assists for a total of 25 points. As a freshman, McWoods scored 10 goals to earned All-Suburban South Conference honors. He also plays club soccer for the Lou Fusz SC Geerling Gold team that won the Missouri Cup 15U championship during the summer. He is also a standout on the Pioneers’ track and field team during the spring.
Shipley at SEMO
Former Francis Howell North cross country standout Nate Shipley is enjoying an excellent junior year at Southeast Missouri State University. Shipley finished in fourth place at the Greater Louisville Classic in Kentucky last week. Nearly 300 runners from 33 different schools participated in the race. Shipley also finished in sixth place at the SIUE Cross Country Challenge in Edwardsville the previous week. Shipley was the Ohio Valley Conference Male Freshman of the Year in 2008. He took a redshirt year after being injured last season, but he is back and performing well once again for the Redhawks.
Price is right
Former Normandy High distance star Darwin Price has continued his excellence at the collegiate level as a senior at Grambling State University. Price finished first at the recent Mook 4 Invitational at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, LA. for the third consecutive year. He also finished third at the Northwestern State Challenge last week in Natchitoches, LA.
Price has been one of the top performers in cross country and track in the Southwestern Athletic Conference for the past four years. He has been all All-SWAC performer in cross country for three years and and a former SWAC outdoor champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Price has excelled in every event from the 800-meter run to the 5,000-meter run. As a senior at Normandy in 2007, Price won the triple crown at the Class 4 state track meet when he won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs.
Masters Myrle
St. Louisan Myrle Mensey concluded her season in masters track and field by breaking two of her own American records at the recent Lindenwood Fall Classic in Edwardsville, Ill. Competing in the women’s 60-age division, Mensey broke her own records in the 12-pound weight throw and the 20-pound super weight throw. Her winning effort in the 12-pound weight throw was 54 feet 6 inches, which broke her previous mark of 53-2 which she set in winning the world masters title in Sacramento during the summer. Mensey’s winning effort in the super weight throw was 38-11.
All Stars Tennis Day
The Net Rushers Tennis Association, Missouri Valley Tennis Association and St. Louis Public Schools will present its All Stars Tennis Day, which will be held today at Nottingham School (4915 Donovan Ave.). The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon. It is held to promote Diversity Awareness for students with special needs. Tennis rackets will be provided as well as games, food and prizes. It should be a good time.
