It is something about the Marion Freeman Clayton Invitational that always brings out the best performances from the area’s premier athletes.
Last weekend’s meet was no exception as some of the best and brightest from the area showed out in a big way. Athletes such as Justin Robinson of Hazelwood West, Brandon Miller of John Burroughs, Josh Sutton of MICDS, Deja Ingram and Aisha Southern of Hazelwood Central and Kylie Goldfarb put on a show at Clayton.
In the 100-meter dash, Sutton and Robinson came across the tape together in a state’s best time of 10.6 seconds. Right behind them was Cardinal Ritter standout Jameson Williams at 10.69 in a real smoker of a race. In the 200, Robinson took the win in 21.39, followed by Sutton in 21.59. Robinson put the capper on a brilliant day with a spectacular 46.6-second anchor leg to give the Wildcats the victory in the 4×400-meter relay.
Williams, the sophomore sensation, took the track to run in his specialty race, the 800-meters for the first time of the season. He cruised to a victory in an impressive time of 1 minute 52.61 seconds. Pattonville’s Michael Jackson was a double winner in the long jump and triple jump. He won the long jump with a leap of 22 feet 9 inches and the triple jump with an effort of 45-10.
On the girls’ side, Ingram swept the 100 and 200 and broke a couple of meet records in the process. She won the 100 in 11.87 seconds and the 200 in 24.54. Southern won the 100-meter high hurdles and set a meet record with a 14.19. The Hawks also broke the meet record in the 4×200-meter relay with a blistering time of 1:40.11. Danielle Frank completed the sprint dominance by winning the 400-meter dash in 56.88.
Goldfarb, a freshman distance standout, won the 800 in 2:18.31 and the 1,600-meter run in 5:12.33. Jade Moore of Pattonville was also impressive in finishing second to Central’s Ingram in the 100 and 200 with times of 12.12 and 24.72, respectively.
*MICDS girls shine at Eureka
The MICDS girls put on a strong performance at the Eureka Invitational last Thursday. Senior Zionn Pearson won the long jump and triple jump. She won the long jump with a jump of 17-10 and the triple jump with an effort of 38-11 ¾. Junior Jhordin Gilmore won the 400 in a time of 58.38. Zuri Reed finished first in the 800 and Zuri Reed was second in the 100-meter high hurdles. The Rams also swept all three sprint relays. They won the 4×100 in 47.77, the 4×200 in 1:45.29 and the 4×400 in 4:12.99.
*Gateway girls run strong at Lindenwood
The Gateway Jaguars enjoyed a strong performance at the Lindenwood High School Classic in St. Charles. Sandrea Cogio won the 100 in 12.92 while freshman Marshaun Bostic won the 200 in 26.41. Bostic also won the long jump with an effort of 16-11. The Jaguars also swept the 4×100-, 4×200 and 4×400-meter relays.
*On tap this weekend
The postseason series begins for Class 1 and 2 schools with district competition around the state. Several area teams will be competing in the Class 2, District 2 meet at Monroe City on Saturday. Those St. Louis area teams in action include Cleveland Naval Jr. ROTC, Brentwood, Crossroads, McKinley Classical and Maplewood. There will also be several conference meets around the area as the larger schools prepare for their district meets next weekend.
Next Wednesday, the Illinois Class 2A girls’ sectionals will be held with metro east area schools competing at Herrin and Springfield Lanphier.
