Spring means the running, jumping and throws that thrill crowds at area track meets have returned. As the weather warms, the competition heats up in the lanes to possible individual and team state titles.
Here is a look at some of the top boys’ and girls athletes who are making it happen on the track.
Boys
Malik Allen (Edwardsville): An elite jumper who was the IHSA Class 3 state champion in the triple jump last season. He recently broke the school record in the event.
Joseph Anderson (Westminster): A University of Iowa football recruit who was a Class 3 state runner up in the triple jump and was fifth in the long jump last season.
Kenneth Buchanan (East St. Louis): A senior sprinter who returns after earning IHSA Class 2A All-State honors in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.
Cameron Cason (Francis Howell): A talented junior jumper who returns after finishing third in the Class 5 triple jump last season.
Jackson Carter (Fort Zumwalt East): A two-sport spring standout who excels in both track and baseball. He was the state runner up in the Class 4 100-meter dash last season.
Dwayne Foley (Ladue): An All-State basketball player who was an All-State performer in the long jump last season.
Brandon Johnson (McCluer): A senior jumper who is one of the best in the state in the high jump. He won the Class 4 state championship in the event last season.
Antwon McKay (Cardinal Ritter): A standout quarterback on the Lions’ state championship football team is also a standout hurdler on the track.
Jacob Oliphant (SLUH): A senior hurdler who earned All-State honors with his fifth-place finish in the Class 5 300-meter intermediate hurdles last season.
Melvin Sledge (Hazelwood East): A junior sprinter who was a Class 4 state champion in the 400-meter dash and a runner up in the 200.
Girls
Natalie Barnard (Lafayette): The University of Missouri recruit was the Class 5 state champion in the 3,200-meter run last season.
Aniyah Brown (Cardinal Ritter): The Ohio State University recruit has been one of the state’s elite sprinters since she began her career as a freshman four years ago.
A’Laji Bradley (Pattonville): The senior sprinter was the Class 5 state runner up in the 200- and 400-meter dashes last season.
Josie Baker (Kirkwood): The middle distance and distance standout was a Class 5 state champion in the 1,600 and a state runner up in the 800 last season.
Aaliyah Elliott (John Burroughs): The senior standout returns as one of the state’s top hurdlers and jumpers this season.
Skyye Lee (Parkway Central): The senior standout was the top individual at last year’s Class 4 state meet by sweeping championships in the hurdles and sprints.
Charlye Moody (Cardinal Ritter): A senior sprinter who returns after finishing fourth in the 200- and 400-meter dashes last season.
Ashley Rusthoven (Fort Zumwalt East): The North Dakota State recruit returns as one of the top returning athletes in the shot put and discus.
Kyndall Spain (Cardinal Ritter): The junior hurdler is the returning Class 5 state champion in the 300-meter low hurdles. She also finished second in the 100-meter high hurdles.
