It was another exciting year of high school sports in the St. Louis metro area. As we move into the new year, here is a look back at some of the memorable moments and prep athletes from 2012.
The Wood: Kirkwood High won that elusive first state championship in football this season. After surviving many close calls along the way, the Pioneers defeated Fort Osage 31-7 to win the Class 5 state championship game. The talented Kirkwood squad was led on offense by stellar quarterback Jordan Bishop and on defense by his talented twin brother Jarrod Bishop.
Back to Back: The McCluer North Stars won its second consecutive state championship in boys basketball. The Stars defeated Nixa 69-62 to claim the Class 5 state crown. Despite the graduation of All-American B.J. Young, the Stars returned to the promised land with a group of determined seniors, led by guard Galen Brown and forward Jordon Granger.
Emmonnie Henderson: It was a tremendous year for the two-sport standout and the Edwardsville girls. The 6-2 Henderson led the Tigers to a second-place finish in the Illinois Class 4A state tournament. She then led Edwardsville to its first state championship in girls track and field. Henderson set state records in the shot put and discus in leading the Tigers to the Class 3 state title. Henderson signed with the University of Louisville in November.
Hawks Three-Peat: Hazelwood Central won its third consecutive Class 4 state championship in boys track and field last May in Jefferson City. The Hawks utilized a great team effort to win the title. The state championship came down to the 4×400-meter relay, the last event of the meet, which the Hawks came through with a first-place finish to clinch the title.
Third Time’s a Charm: After finishing third in the Class 4 state basketball tournament for two year, the Soldan boys got it right the third time as they came through to win the state championship. The veteran Tigers, with its nine seniors, dominated every opponent their path on the way to its first state title in 31 years. Seniors Paul McRoberts, Randy Holmes and Pete Sanders led the Tigers on their tremendous three-year run.
CJ: The individual star of the Missouri track and field championships last spring was middle-distance star Charles Jones of Cardinal Ritter. Jones won the 800-meter run at the Class 3 state meet with a new Class 3 record time of 1 minutes 49.96 seconds. Jones also anchored the Lions to state-championships in the 4×400 and 4×800-meter relays.
Vikings: It was quite a year for Francis Howell High School. The Vikings won their first state title in girls track, led by standout sprinter Whitney Adams. The football team advanced to the Class 6 Show-Me Bowl for the first time in school history. Jarrett Franklin won the 171-pound state championship in wrestling last winter, then came back to have a dominant year on the football field with 22 sacks at defensive end.
U-Time: After watching their boys win the Class 3 state championship in boys track in 2011, the University City girls followed up by winning the state title in 2012. The Lions scored 66 points, won two relays and had an overall team effort to dominate the field.
ROTC wins first: Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC brought home its first state championship when its boys won the Class 2 state title in track and field. The Commanders rode the talents of hurdler Dominic Ball, sprinter Michael Wells and a talented group of sprinters.
Comanches Rule: It was another great season for the boys track team at Cahokia High, which brought home another IHSA state championship. It was the second consecutive Class 2 state championship for Cahokia and fifth overall.
