“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>The Maplewood High boys took their first step towards a “three-peat” Class 2 state championship with a dynamic performance at the District 2 meet at Principia. The Blue Devils easily won the district with 168 points. More important, they qualified athletes in nine individual events and three relays to this weekend’s sectional meet.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>As usual, the Blue Devils rode their tremendous speed as they swept the 4×100, 4×200 and 4×400-meter relays. Individual champions included Nick Coulter (long jump, triple jump, 300-meter intermediate hurdles), Marcus Taylor (200, 400) and Marcus Daily (shot put). Eric Liska also finished second to Taylor in the 200 and 400. Maplewood has been one of the state’s most dominant small-school programs in recent years.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Senior sprinter Spice Brown of Barat Academy was a double-winner in the girls 100 and 200. As a junior, Brown won the Class 2 state title in the 100. The top four finishers at the upcoming Sectionals will advance to the Class 2 state championships in Jefferson City on May 20-21.
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Large school district meets
“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>The large schools take center stage this weekend with Class 3 and 4 district meets being held around the area. Class 3 district meets will be held at Affton and MICDS. The top four finishers will qualify for the Class 3 sectional meets, which will be held at Lutheran South and Mexico on May 21. Class 4 district meets will be held at Oakville, Eureka, McCluer and Francis Howell Central. The top four finishers at the area districts will qualify for sectional meets at Lafayette and Troy on May 21.
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“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Alana in Ohio
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Former Hazelwood East standout Alana Gray has enjoyed an excellent career at The Ohio State University. Gray has been one of the Big Ten Conference’s top performers in the heptathlon. Gray is the Buckeyes’ school-record holder in the heptathlon. She helped Ohio State win the school’s first ever Big Ten indoor championship. Gray was an All-Big Ten Second Team performer this season. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Jump East
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>There was some serious jumping going in the Metro East area last week. Cahokia’s Laderrick Ward was one of the stars at the Collinsville Invitational. Ward won the long jump with a great effort of 24 feet 5 ¾ inches. His best effort of the season came earlier in the week at the St. Clair Invitational when he jumped 24-6. Granite City’s Marcus Mason won the high jump at the same meet by clearing 6 feet 10 inches. Mason nearly cleared 7-0, just missing on his third and final attempt. On the girls side, Breese Central standout Jena Herman cleared an area best 5 feet 11 inches to win the high jump at the Cahokia Conference meet in Columbia. Herman is the two-time IHSA state champion in the high jump. “font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px;”>
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>Illinois
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>sectionals
“font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Verdana;”>The girls on the Illinois side will be competing in sectional competition this weekend. The IHSA Class 3A Sectional at O’Fallon features all of the top large-school teams in the metro east, including East St. Louis, Edwardsville, Belleville East, Belleville West and O’Fallon. The meet begins on Friday at 2 p.m. The IHSA Class 2A Sectional involving metro east teams will be held at Marion (Ill.) on Friday afternoon.
