One can always count on some great individual performances and the Marion Freeman Clayton Invitational.
Class 3 standouts Charles Jones of Cardinal Ritter and Alfred Larry of Jennings certainly did not disappoint as they turned in some spectacular efforts on the afternoon.
Jones turned the event on its ear with his winning performance in the Blue Division 800-meter run. His winning time of 1 minute 51.43 seconds is one of the fastest times in the nation. And the young man is only a sophomore. The Class 3 state record is currently held by former Willard superstar and USA Olympian Jason Pyrah, who ran a 1:51.xx at the 1987 state meet. I saw that race. It was incredible. Jones appears on his way to such feats in the future.
Larry was just as dominant in winning the 200- and 400-meter dashes in the Blue Division. He won the 200 in 21.74 seconds, but his saved his best effort for his favorite event, the 400, in which he circled the track in 47.46.
For the first time, the Clayton Invitational had girls compete and we saw the emergence of a pair of excellent freshmen from Cardinal Ritter in JaiAnna Williams and Chasity Franklin. They finished first and second in the 400 with Williams finishing first in 57.11 and Franklin taking second in 57.44. Franklin came back to win the 200 and both led the Lions to a first-place finish in the 4×400-meter relay.
Senior Hali Ford of Affton was a triple-winner in the high jump, triple jump and 100-meter high hurdles.
The Hazelwood Central boys continued to lower their area’s best time in the 4×400. The Hawks took home the title in 3 minutes 18.89 seconds.
East St. Louis won the boys division team title while MICDS took home the girls team championship trophy.
Quality in Kirkwood
The Dale Collier Invitational at Kirkwood also produced some quality results. Markita Rush of East St. Louis won the 300-meter low hurdles in 44.13 seconds. The Flyerettes also won the 4×200-meter relay and the 4×400 relay in an impressive time of 3:56.17. University City’s Chantel Bethune won the 400 in 57.7 while Whitney Adams of Francis Howell dropped down to the 100 from the 400 to win in 11.96.
Peyton of Nernix
Senior Peyton Chaney of Nernix Hall was the top individual performer at the Eureka Invitational. Chaney pulled off the sprint triple in winning the 100, 200 and 400.
Impressive in Collinsville
Belleville West looked impressive in winning the Collinsville Invitational team championship. Claudette Day won the long jump and 100-meter high hurdles while teammate Jessica Oranika won the 200 and 400.
