The small schools take center stage this weekend at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 1-2 State Championships in Jefferson City.
The boys of Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC are a contender for the Class 2 state championship while Sophie Rivera of Brentwood will conclude her stellar career as one of the best in the history of the state in the throwing events.
Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC will take athletes in six individual events and three relays to Jefferson City this weekend. The Commanders are led by sophomore twins Jerald and James Allen. Jerald Allen finished first in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs. James Allen finished first in the 400-meter dash and second in the 800 to his twin brother.
Antonio Norman was a two-time sectional champion, winning the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and high jump. Kelsey Norman finished first in the triple jump. The Commanders also qualified in the 4×100, 4×400 and 4×800-meter relays. The Allen twins led ROTC to sectional titles in the 4×400 and 4×800.
Sophie Rivera will head to the state meet looking for a four-peat in the shot put and discus. She is the prohibitive favorite to win both events. She won sectional championships in both events at Troy with throws of 45 feet 3 inches in the shot put and 143 feet in the discus. Rivera will also compete in the javelin, which is an exhibition event in Jefferson City this weekend.
After the state meet, Rivera will be competing in a couple of high-profile meets around the country. She will be compete in the U.S. Junior Nationals and then she will head to Eugene, OR to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the javelin.
Brentwood’s Kaylon Jenkins is the area’s only other boy qualifier. Jenkins won the sectional title in the 200-meter dash and finished third in the 100. He will lead the Eagles’ 4×100 and 4×200 relays, which also qualified.
Nature Williams-Harkin of Medical & Bio Science qualified in three events. Williams-Harkin was second in the 100-meter high hurdles, and ran a leg on her school’s 4×100 and 4×200-meter relays teams that qualified.
Sky Parker of McKinley Classical is headed to state after finishing second in the 100 and 200 while Addie Grapperhaus of Barat Academy finished second in the 400 and third in the 200.