So, my coaches and I have a running joke with a hashtag #bantavstheweather. Well, currently my record is 3-3. However, this weekend I think the entire state of Missouri took an "L." The weather was not good and played games with a lot of events. In fact in the fifteen years as a head coach this weekend I noticed more athletes being held out of events and entire meets being preemptively canceled days before due to concerns about conditions. The weekend was wet, windy, and cold. This all after a Wednesday that was record breaking hot. Not great for track and field athletes. Adding to the difficult conditions was many people across the state woke up to their cars being covered in yellow dust. If you have allergies this was a tough week.
Probably the biggest national class meet of the high school track and field season is the KU relays. Kansas University attracts talent from across the midwest and plains states. However, due to rainy and wind conditions, the track meet might have left more questions than answers. Athletes and coaches today might be asking "are we that good" or "why didn't that turn out the way we planned?" Click here or here for some highlights at low key meets over the weekend.
Even though many meets were canceled and some questions grow large we did have some great coverage throughout the week. Greg Hall supplied us a great story about the dominate Kansas City boys of Grandview and mo.milesplit had another interview Hazelwood Central's new girl's coach Asiki Siti. Also, the national site put together an awesome article where they ranked all the different running events for each school as an XC meet. If you want to know who has the best depth in the state and did not just win the genetic lottery check that article out here. It will update throughout the season. Statewide even coaches vote on who they thought was the best teams across the state. Fans don't forget to vote for the athlete of the week. A new poll will be coming early this week.
One thing that was confirmed is Lee's Summit West girls are by far the class of the state performing well once again in the KU relays and in a number of other meets provided by their great depth.
Raytown South once again should its strength through its stable of sprinters both in the individual events and the relays! Following close behind was MICDS who also ran well in the sprint relay events. In the 300LH Hurdles, a Missouri trio looked outstanding. For pictures of the KU Relays click here.
| 2 | Jaden Wiley | 9 | Kickapoo High School | 44.11 | 5 | |
| 3 | Kyra Atkins | 11 | Lee's Summit West High School | 44.76 | 5 | |
| 4 | Osayi Omorodion | 9 | North Kansas City High School | 46.38 | 3 |
Jaden's time in the 300LH is good for the number one spot in Missouri this season.
The Cool conditions did allow for unbelievable fast 3200 with a number of the top finishers breaking the previous meet record. No Missouri athlete broke the previous record but ran massive personal bests.
| 4 | Elizabeth Reneau | 11 | Liberty Christian | 10:34.05 | 1 | |
| 5 | Victoria Findley | 11 | Blue Springs South High School | 10:40.51 | 1 | |
| 6 | Rebekah Geddes | 11 | Platte County High School | 10:44.95 | 1 | |
| 7 | Mikayla Reed | 11 | Washington High School | 10:49.46 | 1 |
Victoria Findley also won the mile in a state number one time of 5:03.92
| 1 | Jon Redmond | 12 | Liberty North High School | 10.57 | 3.4 | 1 |
| 2 | Jayson Ashford | 12 | St. Louis University High School | 10.77 | 3.4 | 1 |
| 3 | Chris Mckinzy | 10 | Raymore-Peculiar High School | 14.53 | 2.6 | 1 |
| 4 | Isaiah Martin | 11 | Hillsboro High School | 14.61 | 2.6 | 1 |
| 5 | Grant Downes | 12 | Park Hill High School | 14.86 | 2.6 | 1 |
| 1 | Clayton Adams | 12 | Kearney High School | 9:13.21 |