What Earl’s wondering on his way to Jeff. City
Of the St. Louis American
The Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3-4 State Track and Field Championships will be held this weekend in Jefferson City. For those heading to the state capitol, here are some scenarios to watch as the state meet unfolds. Enjoy.
1. Freshman phenom: McCluer South-Berkeley freshman Alishea Usery will make her debut at the Class 3 state championships this weekend. Usery has been posting some jaw-dropping times in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes this season, while breaking meet records in the process. How will this talented freshman handle the pressure of her first state meet with two days of competition and some talented competitors such as Ladue’s Azraa Rounds, Central VPA’s LaJada Baldwin and Lutheran North’s Kim Prather giving chase?
2. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow: Eureka High junior Meridith Snow is attempting something very rare in distance running. Snow is trying to achieve the triple crown by winning the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at the Class 4 girls meet. She is the defending state champion in the 1,600 and 3,200. Snow also is the Class 4 state champion in cross country in the fall, so these four state titles would put her in very rare air if she could pull this one off.
3. Ram tough: The Ladue Rams won their first boys state title in 2003. Two years later, the girls of Ladue are primed and ready to take their place at the top of the Class 3 field with a talented group of athletes headed to Jefferson City. There is individual star power with Rounds in the 200 and 400, Orie Ibe in the hurdles and Camille Sheppard in the throws. The Rams also boast three powerful sprint relays.
4. Who follows Imari? There should be some spirited competition to see who succeeds former Parkway North star as the state champion in the Class 4, 100, 200 and 400. Paul Chaney of SLUH and Gerron Herring of Park Hill are entered in all three races, while D.J. Hord of Rockhurst is one to watch in the 100 and 200. Also watch for Kirkwood’s Rufus Triggs in the 400. Gentleman, start your engines.
5. We’ve got the dogs in the house: The McCluer South-Berkeley Bulldogs are trying to win their first Class 3 boys state championship in the post-Rod Staggs era. The Bulldogs will contend with top hurdler Terry Robinson, sprinter Greg Hooks and three strong relay teams head to state.
6. Repeat offenders: Several area athletes are headed to Jefferson City hoping to repeat as state champions from last year. They include Lauren Fisher of Hazelwood Central (Class 4, 400), Whitney Thomas of Hazelwood Central (Class 4, 100-meter hurdles), Tiffany Jackson of Gateway Tech (Class 4, 300-meter low hurdles), Meridith Snow of Eureka (See #2) and Garret Jeffries of Marquette (Class 4, 3,200).
7. Bracket buster: Riverview Gardens senior Shelinda Bracket was a relative unknown heading into the season. Now, she enters the state meet as the favorite in the Class 4 girls 100-meter dash. Bracket turned in the area’s fastest time of 11.6 at the district meet, then breezed to an easy victory at the sectionals. With three-time state champion Kyra Sullivan slowed by injuries and unable to defend her title, the field is wide open.
8. Relay Madness: The Class 4 girls 4×400-meter relay could be one of the most entertaining races of the meet. Hazelwood East, Hazelwood Central, Normandy and Jefferson City have all gone under four minutes at the sectionals.
9. Outstate Greats: A few field event athletes from outside the area include Class 4 jumpers Leandra McGruder of Jefferson City and Chantae McMillan of Rolla. Both athletes could eclipse 20 feet in the long jump and 40 feet in the triple jump. Also watch for Dustin Andrews of Lee’s Summit North in the high jump. He cleared 6 feet 11 inches to win his sectional title. Could 7 feet be on the horizon?
10. Weighty matters: The Class 3 girls’ shot put competition is loaded. There are six athletes who come into this weekend with throws of better than 40 feet during the postseason. Ladue’s Camille Sheppard hopes to crack this talented group and earn valuable points for her team.
