FLORISSANT, Mo. – Hazelwood Central took a big step toward defending its track crown – again.
The Hawks have won three consecutive boys Class 4 state titles, and they are looking to become the first to win four in a row since the current class system was installed. Central rolled through the sprints and relays to tally 124 points en route to the District 3 title Saturday at McCluer High School.
Central had three individual champions and won two relays. The Hawks grabbed a chunk of points by qualifying three to next week’s sectional meet in the 400-meter dash. Brandon Chunn won in 48.94, Matt Quarells was third at 49.15 and Marcus Davis was fourth at 49.17.
“We just want to keep the tradition going, get another state title and four-peat. That’s the big goal,” said Chunn after anchoring the 1,600-meter relay to first in 3:18.26. “(Relays) are kind of our cushion that comes through in bad situations. When we need something, the relays make big things happen.”
Only the 300 hurdles separated Davis' two open races, and he returned to the track after a very short break and took second in the 800 in 1:58.24.
“Having all three qualify (in the 400), and hopefully all three qualify next week, that’ll be huge points,” Central coach Rich Copenhaver said. “The 400 has always been a tough race, between that and the 800, that’s two of the toughest races on the track, and we’ve got a kid doing both.”
Kendall Preston, one of the few seniors on the team, is looking to go out the same way he began his track career at Hazelwood Central. He wants to hold up that trophy one more time.
“I have been really worn out, but I think we qualified in all of them,” said Preston, who was second in the 100 (10.96), fourth in the 200 (22.46) and ran legs on two relays. “I’ve been with the team since the first year we won state, and I would really like to make it back one last time.”
Hazelwood East is the only other Class 4 team to win three consecutive titles (1995-97). Before the current four class system started in 1974, Kansas City Central won or tied for the large division title from 1965 through 1972. McCluer South-Berkeley has had multiple winning streaks in Class 3, including the most recent four-peat from 1993-96, and University City still holds the record at 18 boys state titles.
SLUH captured second with 94 points at districts, and Nicholas Stewart won all three distance races to score 30 of McCluer North’s third-place 93 points.
The Hazelwood Central girls made it a Hawks’ sweep with 135 points for their second consecutive districts title. This year, the Hawks are hoping that carries over to the sectional meet and then on to state. The Central girls have not won a state trophy since taking second in 2005 and last won state in 1988.
Ashley Henderson swept the 100 (12.12) and the 200 (25.44), and she helped the 400 relay and 800 relay to victories. The Hawks also secured some field events points with first-place finishes by Keeva Knox in the shot put (35 feet, 4 ½ inches), Kayln Malveaux in the discus (113-7) and Aquira Laskley in the long jump (17-4 ½).
“They showed up and showed out; I’m very proud of them,” Hazelwood Central girls coach Glenn Norwood said. “The main thing we wanted to have was more depth. You can’t win the state title with just one or two people nowadays. So we’re trying to do all-around things. We had the jumps, we had the throws, we had the sprints, and we’re getting the distance together. We’re trying to become a complete team.
“If we win at sectionals next week, then I think we have an outstanding chance at winning state – or at least finishing better than 10th like we did last year.”
The Hawks are still hopeful for the return of Felecia Lampley, who injured her hamstring at the KU Relays. If she can run next week, Norwood said she will take a leg on the 400 relay, and they would add her to the 800 relay at state if she continues to improve and the squad advances.