Over the weekend there were a number of great meets with top athletes seeing each other head to head for the first of many clashes throughout the year. As is tradition during this time of the year weather is always a factor. A number of schools moved their invitational meets to avoid the impending storms.
Click here for a direct link to this weekend's results.
As you scan through the results from the weekend you will notice a number of events where athletes seemed to break the land speed record dropping huge personal bests (PRs). In other meets, you might find yourself scratching your head as to why some top notch athletes seemed to under perform. The answer is simple Friday and Saturday we had 20 mph winds for two days straight coming out of the south and into the north. Not only can this wreak havoc on performances for sprinters or jumpers who must barrel forward into the wind in their face but it also affects the distances events. Top distance runners have to make a choice whether to push the pace or tuck in behind a fellow racer to draft off of them like a NASCAR race. Sometimes if the field gets to spread out this becomes impossible. Both the Lindenwood Invite and Parkway Central Limited/Unlimited meet had major tailwinds for the sprints. The Belton Invite was run with the sprints into the wind.
In spite the windy conditions there were a number of highlights from the weekend. At the top of the list is the much publicized Alicia Burnett. She lit up the field winning the 100, 200, and 400 meter dash at the Lindenwood High School Invite.
On the boy's side Lamont Allen made his presence know by placing highly in a number of events he defied gravity to the tune of a 6'8" leap in the high jump. He also won the triple jump and placed 3rd in the long jump before he pulled out after spiking himself for precautionary measure.
At the Ron Ives meet Clayton Adams throw down the hammer in the 3200 opening up at a 9:13. If he can stay healthy Clayton might be able to reach the rarified air of a sub 9 3200m.
At the Festus Early Bird Isiah Martin is shaping into one of the very best multi-event athletes in the country. He destroyed all the competition by blazing over the 10 sticks to the tune of a 14.75 in the 110HH.
In respects to team Kirkwood boy's looked very strong placing in a number of events off strong performances from their preseason all-state men in the field. Additionally, they had help from the 4x800 and 110H. On the women's side, Lee Summit West lived up to the hype. In the Parkway Central Limited/Unlimited meet the Lady Colts showed their depth in winning 3 out of the 4 grade levels.
