The St. Louis metro area is the home to two of the best throwing specialist in the country and both performers put out tremendous performances in the past few days.
Brentwood High senior Sophie Rivera added to her legacy as one of the greats in area history with a spectacular performance at the Brentwood Invitational. Competing in the javelin, Rivera unleashed a throw of 180 feet 4 inches. Not only was it the best mark in the country so far, but it also earned Rivera a spot in the U.S. Olympic Trials.
A Wisconsin signee, Rivera is the three-time Class 2 state champion in the shot put and discus. In the same meet at Brentwood, she put out efforts of 51-5 in the shot put and 151-5 in the discus.
On the Illinois side, Edwardsville High junior A.J. Epenesa continued his terrific work in the throws at last weekend’s Granite City Invitational. Epenesa unleashed a throw of 193 feet 9 inches in the discus, which is among the best in the nation. A University of Iowa football commit, Epenesa broke the meet record by more than 25 feet.
Cahokia girls shineÂ
Cahokia High junior Mariya Hudson put on a show at the Corey Siebert Invitational at Rockwood Summit. Hudson won four individual events, including a sweep of all of the sprints. She won the 100-meter dash in 12.67 seconds, the 200 in 25.64 and the 400 in 56.16 seconds. Hudson also won the long jump with an impressive effort of 19 feet 5 inches.
In the 300-meter low hurdles, the Comanches earned the top three spots with Takyra Buford winning the race, followed by Laqwasia Stepney and Jayla Crosby. Stepney also finished second in the triple jump and third in the long jump.
John Burroughs girls take titleÂ
The John Burroughs girls took home the team championship at the Henle Holmes Invitational at Parkway Central. Junior Lailah Elliott enjoyed a fine individual day as she won the long jump and 100-meter high hurdles. She also finished second in the triple jump and third in the high jump. Freshman Madison Fuller won the 200 and ran legs on the Bombers’ first-place 4×200-meter relay and second-place 4×400. The Bombers won the Class 3 state championship last season in Jefferson City.
Kirkwood girls contendÂ
The Kirkwood girls will be a prime contender in Class 5 this season after finishing second in the team standings last season. The Pioneers finished second at last weekend’s Dale Collier Invitational at Kirkwood and enjoyed many sparkling performances. Junior Hava Turner won both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. Kara Steele was first in the 400-meter dash and triple jump while Andi Kuehnlein was first in the 300-meter low hurdles. The Pioneers also finished first in the 4×200 and 4×400.
What’s on tapÂ
Some of the top meets happening this weekend are the Phil Brusca/Connie Strobach Invitational, which will be held at Ladue on Saturday. the Fort Zumwalt North Invitational will be held on Saturday. Several area athletes will head to Lawrence, Kansas to compete in the Jayhawk Relays this weekend as well.
