McCluer, MICDS Relay to Sectional Victories

LADUE, Mo. -- The McCluer boys looked like they had something to prove in the Class 4 Sectional 2 track meet Saturday at MICDS. The Comets continued on the same trajectory they've been on all season, posting some of the top relay times in in their class.

The Comets won the 4x100 (42.15) and 4x200-meter (1:28.37) relays, bettering their 4x100 time to a state best mark. And they continued the theme with a 3:21.48 in the 4x400 to close out the meet and claim the boys team title with 112 points to St. Charles' 81.

"We've been so hungry and so motivated considering how close we were last year," McCluer senior Asa McFadden said. "Winning the 4x2 and having the fastest 4x1 time to end up getting third in the finals and the 4x4 getting fifth place (at state last year), I think we're all just motivated to do better and get a better time. We just want it this year."

McFadden ran a leg on the 4x100 and added a first-place (49.79) finish in the open 400-meter race. He was pulled out of the 4x400 so the coaches could experiment with lineups. It also gave McFadden a chance to rest ahead of next weekend's loaded schedule during the state meet.

"I kind of wish I could do (the 4x400) today," McFadden said. "We're close to state and with back-to-back races, I need the rest, especially going into state, and the rest is going to feel good, but I would love to get out there with my team and get first.

"I love when the crowd is getting into it. That makes me smile and makes me want to go get it even more. It gets me pumped up."

McCluer also won the 100 with Raequan Stallings (11.18) and the 200 with Henry Jones (22.16), and Kyren Martin was second (50.50) to McFadden in the 400.

The MICDS girls also used their relays to run down the Class 4 Sectional 2 team title with 121 points. Parkway Central was second with 111.

The MICDS Rams closed out their scoring by setting a new school record in the 4x400 at 3:55.77, and it bettered their season best time by 5 seconds.

Paige Glover was the third leg on that relay after running anchor on the winning 4x100 (49.20) and 4x200 relays (1:43.42).

"That was really exciting; really hard, but we pushed through," Glover said. "We got our school record so all the hard work paid off for sure. It definitely gives us all confidence that we can do it.

"We've always been a strong relay, and it was important that we had that lead right there to give us confidence next week. It builds you up as a runner to show that you can make those big accomplishments and pushes you forward."

Despite running a PR in the 200-meter dash at 25.92, Glover just missed advancing to the state meet as she finished fifth. The top four in each event qualify for the track championships in Jefferson City.

"I PR'd in the 25s so I couldn't do anything different," Glover said. "I just have to move forward because I still have those three relays."

Parkway Central senior Michael Slater won both shot put and discus sectional titles. Although he won't see Blue Springs twins Carlos and Khalil Davis head-to-head because of the new class alignment, Slater said he still has to remain focused on his events. He also knows that Gunnar Allison from Logan-Rogersville has the capability to put a throw out there and challenge for the top spot in Class 4, too.

"I'm pretty sure he's going to have some fire for state, so I have to have a good week of practice," Slater said. "I just have to make sure the little stuff is right and just compete when it's time. I do well in warm-ups, and then not good when it really matters, so I need to be more consistent."

Slater was a little off his season best throws with a 60-3 1/2 in the shot put and a 160-8 in the discus at sectionals Saturday. It was still enough to advance him to next weekend's state meet, and that's ultimately all that he was concerned with.

"It's a little shorter than where I have peaked at, but it's still a good throw and still enough to get me to state," Slater said. "Still have a lot left in me. I'm going to work hard at practice this week and do all the fundamental stuff and get it done at state."