Though the heat played a key factor in all of today's races, it did not prevent many competitors from running blazing fast times. The day started off strong with the SLUH boys clinching the Class 4 4x800 title in 7:46.08--currently a top ten time in the country!
Next was the highly anticipated Girls Class 4 1600, and it did live up to its expectations. Liga Blyholder made a surge just over halfway through the race, and ended up leading a total of seven girls under five minutes. In the Girls Class 3 1600, freshman Kaitlyn Fischer won the event in 5:05.84.
Winding up the day's distance events was the Boys 3200m run. Feeling the effects of the heat, Kevin Colon ran a smart race in waiting to surge a little over halfway through the race. No one went with him, and he finished in 9:12.09. Max Korolev took a different approach, but ended with the same result. After a quick first 1600, Max won the state title in 9:14.69.
Saturday shows the promise of being equally exciting with the finals of many more events. I personally am looking forward to the Girls 4x800m and 4x400m relays--which will be a match-up of Eureka, Ladue, and Kirkwood in both plus Lee's Summit West and Neosho in the 4x800m. With another hot day predicted tomorrow, I am hoping to see more blazing fast times. I can't wait to watch!