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After the tragic events of Wednesday night's tornado in Jefferson City, the entire state had heavy hearts heading into the Class 3,4,&5 State Championships on Saturday. No one though could match the emotions being felt by the athletes of Jefferson City High School as they competed at the Class 5 State Championships on Saturday at Battle High School in Columbia. These Jefferson City Jays rose to the occasion and represented their city with pride, and had spectacular performances on Saturday in what is no doubt a difficult time for all of them.
Devin Roberson won the first of what would be eleven state medals for the Jays. Roberson entered the meet as the nations second ranked discus thrower with a PR of 206-1. On Saturday, despite a heavy heart, Roberson stepped into the ring a launched throws of 206-11 (Class 5 Record), then 213-10 (All-Class Record) in the finals, and with his last throw he bombed a 218-03 which is the Missouri all-class record, state meet record, the top throw in the United States this year, and the seventh farthest throw ever by an American high schooler. An incredible performance but the Mizzou signee. In addition to his state championship in discus, he was also the silver medalist in the shot put on Saturday.
Cory Suttle won two state medals in the throwing events as well for Jefferson City on Saturday. He threw a huge PR of 55-8.75 to place third in the Shot Put, and was also third in the Discus with a throw of 174-6, his second best throw ever.
The Boys 4x800m team of Thomas Nield, Deaken Walker, Landon Dunlap, and Benjamin Krause placed fifth with a new school record of 7:53.00.
Freshman Kiara Strayhorn picked up two State Medals on Saturday as well for the Jays. She placed third place in the 100m Hurdles with a time of 14.20, and was also seventh in the High Jump as she cleared 5-2.
Andrew Dyer placed fourth for the Jays in the 110m Hurdles with a time of 14.74 into a very strong headwind.
Brendan Rozier placed fourth in the Javelin with a nice PR throw of 171-11.
Dijonay Dawson placed seventh in the 100m dash with a time of 12.75 to pick up another State Medal for the Jays.
The Girls 4x200m Relay team of Zaliah Dunbar, Lashawna Chambers, Rhakala Blackmon, and Dijonay Dawson also took seventh to earn a state Medal on Saturday.
To finish things off the Jefferson City Boys placed fourth in the state as a team to bring home a state trophy for their school and community.
Our hearts at MileSplit go out to all of Jefferson City, and others effected by last weeks storms as they begin the rebuilding process.