The first Big River Running Indoor Series Qualifying meet is in the books. A number of top-notch performances were recorded.
Starting on the guy’s side, Landon Bartel showed end of the season form, clearing an astonishing 6-10.75 to move all the way us to US#2. Bartel, a senior from Southern Boone County, was the Class 3 champion in high jump in 2013. This is a new best for him, as he came in with a PR of 6-8.
On the track, met records went down early with Michael Wells blazing a 6.85 to win the 60 meter dash. This puts the Cleveland NJROTC senior sits at US#4 currently. His day wasn’t done as he broke another of his meet records – the 200m. He posted a 22.48 clocking, which puts him just outside the top 25 nationally.
Stephen Mugeche had quite the day, running a 4:26.69 to claim the 1 mile run, just missing his meet record of 4:24.49 set last year. His 65 second final quarter put him in front of Camden Barett (West Plains) and Dustan Davidson (SLUH). Davidson, only a sophomore, is someone to keep an eye out for this year. He transferred from Illinois powerhouse, O’Fallon, and opened up with a 4:33 this weekend.
The last open events brought some fireworks as two time Foot Locker finalist and Forest Park Invite champion, Patrick Perrier, faced off against Mugeche. Despite having a race in him, Mugeche hit the ground running, opening up in a 4:52 to put a six second lead on Perrier. From there, Perrier put on a surge, clicking off 34 and 35 second 200m laps. His final 1600m was 4:37, totaling 9:35 for a new series record. Mugehce also clipped the previous meet record, running 9:37 after his strong performance in the 1600m.
Switching over to the girls, it was another Illinois track athlete, Lena Giger (Highland, IL), who recorded the performance on the day on the girls side. Her put of 48-7.5 gives her a US#2 mark. This performance doesn’t come as too much of a surprise as Giger was third at New Balance Nationals and 8th at the World Youth Championship in 2013.
Like Mugeche, Nicole Lee had a solid day with great performances in the mile and 3200m. She ran a solo 5:22 to win in the mile and an 11:26 in the 3200m, beating her previous meet record of 11:31. However, it was Stephanie Jenks (Linn-Marr, Iowa) who took the two mile victory with a swift 10:46, US#4. Jenks was finished 9th at Foot Locker Nationals back in the fall.
Jasmine Berry of Belleville West (IL) won the 400m in a quick 58.66.