The latest edition of the Kansas Relays featured some highlights from Missouri runners. Raytown South's Zaya Akins broke the meet record in the 400-meter dash twice, first on Friday in the prelims and then again on Saturday in the finals in 53.56. She ran 54.11 in the prelims. Akins won the finals by more than three seconds.
The previous mark belonged to Missouri legend Alishea Usery of McCluer South-Berkeley, who ran 54.61 in 2008.
Akins' photo graces the top of this article.
Photo gallery | Results
4x1,600 run: The first race of the day is one that you don't normally see in competition, with each runner doing a 1,600-meter run and then passing the baton. Blue Springs' Ava Power was the first leg for the Wildcats in the race and was followed by teammates Alexis Riddle, Aubrey Kipper and Kyla Weems. Blue Springs finished 10th overall.
Another pair of Missouri teams in the 4x1,600-meter relay were Raymore-Peculiar and North Platte. Above, Ashlyn Smith from Ray-Pec runs near North Platte's Chloe Heckman. Ray-Pec was fifth and North Platte placed eighth.
Victory: Rock Bridge's Grace Parsons clears one of the final hurdles on her way to winning the 300-meter hurdles in 44.98. Parsons early season 44.65 was a MO#1 performance and she now sits 2nd on the state season performance list.
