Class 3 Boys Preview: Sprints/Hurdles
100 Meter Dash
(Lonell Watkins of McCluer-South Berkeley)
Video of 2010 Class 3 Boys 100 meter dash
Returning All State Runners
None
This Year
Lonell Watkins of Berkeley is the only athlete under 11.0 seconds in the 100 dash. Minek Ford is another kid that has ran fast all year round. If he gets his drive phase together he could finish right on Lonell’s shoulder and finally break that pesky 11.0 second barrier.
200 Meter Dash
Video of Class 3 Boys 200 meter dash
Returning All State Runners
Lonell Watkins, Berkeley, SR, 2nd
Larry Carter, Grandview, SR, 6th (Class 4)
This Year
In the 200 Minek Ford comes in as the top qualifier at state. Zach Zurfluh-Cunningham of Windsor is less the .1 away from Mink. Zach has a few less races then the Afton senior and could pull out the win.
400 Meter Dash
Video of 2010 Class 3 Boys 400 meter dash
(Alfred Larry of Jennings)
Returning All State Runners
Tyler Banks, Oak Grove, SR, 5th
Alfred Larry, Jennings, JR, 6th
Jordan Woods, Berkeley, SR, 8th
This Year
Double your trouble, both freshman super star Charles Jones and senior Tyler Banks are running the 400/800 combo. This is a tough double made tougher by the unpopular 800 prelims. However, since the 400 is run first look for both athletes to push the limits in the 400 dash dipping just under 49 seconds.
110 Meter Hurdles
Video of 2010 Class 3 Boys 110 meter hurdles
(Dapo Akinmoladun of Grandview and Ezekiel Elliot of John Burroughs)
Returning All State Hurdlers
Ezekiel Elliott, John Burroughs, SO, 3rd
Marcus Cody, Excelsior Springs, SR, 6th
Justin Bryant, Bishop Dubourg, SR, 8th
This Year
Ezekiel Elliott of John Burroughs and Dapo Akinmoladun of Grandview are far above the rest of the field. Ezekiel will be trying to pull the tough 100 and 110 double. This race will be tight.
300 Meter Hurdles
Video of 2010 Class 3 Boys 300 meter hurdles
(Ezekiel Elliot of John Burroughs)
Returning All State Runners
None
This Year
Dapo Akinmoladun JR Grandview 40.17
Ezekiel Elliott SO John Burroughs 40.26
Justin Bryant SR Bishop DuBourg 40.27
Carl Wheeler JR Farmington 40.41
All four of the above mentioned athletes could win the state championship. Oddly no one on this list has yet to break 40point. I believe this has more to do with weather then it does with talent. Justin Bryant of Bishop DuBourg will have the slight edge in this race running on fresh legs. Both Ezekiel and Dapo will have ran a greater number of races before they get to the 300IH final.
4x100 Meter Relay
Video of 2010 Class 3 Boys 4 x100 meter relay
Berkeley and Gateway much like the 4x200 are the top class of team coming into the meet. Jennings is the dark horse. Good hand offs and they could be in the mix.
4x200 Meter Relay
Video of Class 3 Boys 4 x200 meter relay
Gateway and Berkeley both come in with blazing fast times. Sikeston will also been in the money round and could run much faster when being pushed by the talent from the St. Louis area.
4x400 Meter Relay
Video of Class 3 Boys 4 x400 meter relay
Lutheran South surprised a lot of people around the state running as fast as they did this season. However, Cardinal Ritter and Jennings both have big guns that could anchor making it tough for Lutheran South to fight off in the end. Lutheran South is the classic 4x400 relay with fairly even legs 1,2,3, and 4.