2022 William Chrisman Bill Summa Invite Recap and Photos

Bill Summa Invite
Chris Auckley


Festus senior Jacob Meyers celebrates victory in the Elite 3200-meters with an emphatic arm pump as he crosses the finish line in 9:09.92. Joining an the exclusive Missouri Sub-9:10 list was a major accomplishment, but maybe even more impressive was the talented field Meyers beat, which ended up with eight finishers under 9:30.


Another of the state superstars to compete was Liberty junior Rachel Homoly. One of the country's best pole vaulters and already the state record holder, Homoly vaulted with the guys. She said her coaches had reached out about doing so this season. It seems silly that every meet she should have to sit and wait 2-3 or more hours while 25-35 other ladies warm up and go out from 8-feet to 11-6'', before she needs to warm up and even enter the competition.

Homoly said she liked the raised runway, though she had a bit of an off day. She finished third. Among the boys. Homoly won the girls competition which followed the boys. Homoly cleared 3.65m/11-11.75'' on her second attempt, and 3.80m/12-5.5'' and 3.95m/12-11.5'' on first attempts. Homoly went out with three misses at 4.10m/13-5.25''. Then she got to watch the final two boys finish up before the girls competition and then compete again herself in the 4x100.


Competing with the boys, Liberty junior and state record holder Rachel Homoly sprints down the elevated runway on her way to a best clearance of 3.95m/12-11.50 in the pole vault. The mark made her the girls winner and would have placed her 3rd in the boys competition. Homoly has cleared 4.23m/13-10.50 for the school season state record and puts her #7 on the US season list. Homoly cleared 4.27m/14-00'' indoors in the winter for the All-seasons, All-Conditions, Indoor/Outdoor state record. 


Liberty North senior Benjamin Pritchett clears the bar on his way to a runner-up finish in the pole vault with a clearance of 4.25m/13-11.25''.


Distance runners shined especially with Elite sections of the 3200-meters kicked off the meet in the morning. Schools were allowed unlimited entries if they met a qualifying standard. Ryan Unruh's ladies qualified seven for Elite 3200-meters, coming off their Class 5 State cross country title last fall. South senior Mya Trober didn't leave any doubt what her goal was as soon as the starter's pistol fired. The Iowa State signee bolted to the lead and never looked back, rolling to a new personal record (PR) and MO#1 of 10:39.

St. Teresa's Amelia Arrietta, just over a year since she began running, who was a revelation last fall for the Stars and shocked with a 17:24 course record at the Gans Creek Classic, moved her way into second eventually. The Villanova commit, who never appears to without a smile on her face, finished in a PR of 11:11. Joplin senior Jennalee Dunn set an Eagles school record. The Cornell University commit finished 3rd in 11:21. Park Hill sophomore Natalie Gerdes was 4th in 11:31 while Blue Springs South and Rock Bridge All-Staters Caitlin Grover and Brooke Walker clocked in at 11:38 and 11:40.The top eight finishers all went under 12:00.