The large schools take center stage this weekend as state championships will be decided in Missouri and Illinois.
The Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3-5 State Championships will be held at Jefferson City High School on Friday and Saturday. The Illinois State High School Association Boys State Championships will be held on Friday and Saturday at the Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
On the Missouri side, several talented girls’ teams will be battling for team trophies. John Burroughs will try to defend its Class 3 state title while McCluer South-Berkeley will also be in the running. In Class 4, MICDS is taking a strong contingent of girls to the state meet while Kirkwood and Hazelwood Central are looking good in Class 5.
On the boys’ side, Lafayette’s boys are looking to make a run behind a very strong distance corps. The Lancers have quality in other events, but have been dominant in the distance all season. John Burroughs will be a contender in Class 3.
Returning state champions looking to defend their titles include: Alvin Thompson (Cardinal Ritter), Class 3 triple jump; Alec Haines (Lafayette), Class 5, 1,600; Austin Hindman (Lafayette), Class 5, 3,200; Constance Jackson (North Tech) Class 3 Girls 100-meter high hurdles; Lailah Elliott (John Burroughs) Class 3 Girls long jump and triple jump; Carolyn Ross (Webster Groves) Class 4 triple jump; Destiny Nash (Hazelwood Central) Class 5 girls 400; Kara Steele (Kirkwood) Class 5 girls triple jump.
In Illinois, Cahokia is seeking a sixth consecutive state championship at the Class 2A meet. The Comanches lost a big piece with a knee injury to star jumper/sprinter Ja’Mari Ward. However, Cahokia has athletes in eight events and all four relays qualified for the weekend.
The Metro East will also be represented at the Class 3A state meet. Defending state champion Edwardsville will try to hold on to its title, with one of their biggest challenges coming from Southwestern Conference rival East St. Louis. Both are poised to do well in Charleston this weekend.
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RIP Rod Marshall
Our condolences to the family of former McCluer High star Rod Marshall, who passed away suddenly at the age of 43. Rod enjoyed a remarkable career at McCluer between 1989-82. He was a two-time state champion in the 200- and 400-meter dash.
Marshall led the Comets to the Class 4 state championship in 1992. As an athlete, he will be remembered for his legendary anchor leg in the 4×400-meter relay at the close of the 1991 state meet.
Marshall got the baton some 50 meters behind a couple of top anchors from Suburban North rivals Ritenour and Normandy. Running a 46-second split, Marshall tracked down his two rivals and completed one of the most spectacular anchor legs in the history of the state meet for the win.
I was right there when Marshall crossed the finish line as the crowd roared. He collapsed and they basically had to carry him off the track. It was a superstar effort from a superstar talent with a superstar heart.
Marshall went on to compete at Nebraska during his collegiate career. He went on to become a coach at McCluer South-Berkeley. He was the Missouri Class 3 Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2008. He led the Bulldogs to the state championship in 2008.
Most of all, Marshall was a wonderful person and a family man. He was humble and kind to everyone. He was just a family human being. My heart really hurts for his children. He will be missed by all of us in the St. Louis track community.