Several of the area’s top athletes were on hand at the Charlie Beck Invitational at University City last weekend.
Kirkwood’s boys and girls swept the team titles with the girls of McCluer North and boys of McCluer in hot pursuit. Kirkwood’s boys scored 116.5 points while the girls scored an impressive 155 points to take home the team trophies.
The Pioneers’ boys were led by Reece Goodard, who won both the shot put and discus. James Jaeger finished first in the 800-meter run, Austin Southerlin won the pole vault while the 4×800-meter relay team also finished first. On the girls side, the Pioneers got first-place finishes from Hava Turner in the 100-meter dash, Andrea Kuehlein in the high jump and Mara Moneely in the pole vault. The Pioneers also finished first in the 4×100 and 4×800-meter relays and second in the 4×200.
McCluer North girls’ standout Jasmine Barge enjoyed an excellent day as she swept the 100-meter high hurdles and 300-meter low hurdles. Her winning times were 14.19 in the 100s and 44.14 in the 300s. She is the defending Class 4 state champion in both events. The Stars also won the 4×100 and 4×200 and Sydney Rogers finished first in the 400-meter dash.
McCluer’s boys enjoyed a big day in the sprints and relays. Kevin Spraggins won the 100 while teammate Henry Jones finished third. Asa McFadden finished first in the 400. The Comets also swept the 4×100-, 4×200-, and 4×400-meter relay titles.
Another individual standout at the event was Ritenour’s Sayvon Kenney, who won the boys 110-meter high hurdles and 300-meter individual hurdles.
JJK Relays
Top teams from across the region participated at last weekend’s Jackie Joyner-Kersee Relays at Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis. In a field that included Tennessee power Memphis Whitehaven, and Illinois state powers Chicago Morgan Park and Springfield Southeast, the host East St. Louis Flyerettes finished second in the team standings.
Senior Aaliah Herron was the Flyerettes’ top individual performer with victories in the shot put and discus. East Side also won the sprint medley and 4×800.
Session shines at O’Fallon Relays
Belleville East standout William Session showed why he is one of the top hurdlers in the state of Illinois with his performance last weekend at O’Fallon. Session set a new meet record in winning the 110-meter high hurdles with a time of 14.2 seconds. He also came back to win the 300-meter intermediate hurdles.
Upcoming meets
The big meet this weekend will be the Belleville West Invitational, which will be held on Saturday. The all-boys meet features the top teams in the metro east, including Cahokia, Edwardsville, and teams from St. Louis and Southern Illinois. On the Missouri side, Saturday meets include the Skippy Keefer Relays at John Burroughs; the Timberland Wolkpack Invitational, Northwest Invitational and Mineral Area Relays at Herculaneum.