As the 2nd week of track began multiple meets brought us some impressive times, and gave us a second look at the contendors. This evening we had the joy of attending the Smithville Invitational wihich brought some impressive performances, the weather was dandy and what a competitive day it was... Let us see how it started:
The Girs 4x800 was a magnificent race to watch. Class 3 District 8 had a few representatives that have now placed their names as a threat. Leading the way was the State-Runner-Ups Smithville Warriors. They had the lead from the get go and finished in a time of 10:11.12 which places them as the leaders of class 3 on the West side of the state. St.Pius X ran 10:20.03 and then the fight for 3rd was on as Gallatin and Liberty North fought. Gallatin just edged out the upcoming North going to 10:22.09 and North finished with 10:22.95. With 3 of these teams in Class 3, a battle should be great to see who can qualify for the state meet. Even though Smithville went out and won in a dominating fashion, one think we must not over look is Gallatins great performance, but also The Liberty North Distance Girls. They were dominating all Cross-Country sesaon, and with this 4x800 of 2 freshman and 2 sophomores they are going to be a force to reckon with as the season progresses and dont be shocked if they find a place on the podium at the end of this season.
In the 100 meter dash, Junior Chandler Wilson of Trenton won the race with a 12.30 and was one of 3 girls to set a All-Missouri Standard time, following behing Wilson was another Junior from Lathrop, Gretchen Mayes (12.75) and then to finish up the top 3 Helima Jackson of Lincoln College Prep went 12.77 and then a freshman
The sprinter relays were quick to say the least for Class 3 this early in the season. Lincoln College Prep broke loose going 49.98 to bring in the huge victory. LCP led strong from the get-go and didnt even look back, they are going to be a contender with any school as the season continues. Trenton (52.00) and Savannah (52.63) also competed well for top 3 finishes. In the 4x200 relay Trenton regained the momentum and pulled out a win of 1:50.44, expect to Trentons experience and depth to help them in the long run.
In the hurdles it was a great day again, Chelsea Gabrielson (Grain Valley) just edged out Madison Whisler (St. Pius X) going 16.22 and 16.67, these two girls meet up again next thursday, providing us with yet again another nail biter!In the 300 hurdles, Madison Whisler got things done in heat 4 of the girls hurdles but was just edged out by Freshman Kaley Breault of heat 3. Breault went hard with a 49.75 followed by 49.78 by Breault! These two's schedules arent exactly spectator friendly for such a rivalry but we expect great things from both of them as the season continues!
You may remember this girls name last year from the state meet, Jewell Stovall of Lincoln College Prep got it done again in the girls 200 dash going 25.68 and pulling in yet again an All-Missouri time! Stovall also competed well in the 400 dash taking 4th but posting a 1:00.95
St. Pius X's all-star of Lexie Oak went out and dominated in the 400 dash by not only breaking the All-Missouri standard time, but also breaking 60 seconds, Oak hit a crazy 59.03. Behind Oak in 2nd and 3rd were two underclass athletes, Savannah's all around athlete Hannah Miller dropped a 1:00.90 followed by a 1:00.91 by Aliyah Lee the freshman to look out for this mid distance season.
The girls open 800...As the West side of the state has become more and more popular we find that our top 5 names most mentioned (in no order) Katie Tuck, Sammy Laurenzo, Nicole Lee, Hanna Miller, and Leigh Carlson. All of these grils have gone sub 2:30 this year and all of them have a shot at being top 8 in the state this spring, but from what we saw today...3 of those top 5 went at it, and it was good. Tuck of Smithville ran away with the race going 2:21.97 to reclaim her in-season title as the fastest 800 meter runner. the multi-eventer of Savannah, Hanna Miller kept pace for the first lap but couldnt keep the stride Tuck was delivering and finished 2nd with a 2:29.31 and then Leigh Carlson just went under the 2:30 marker with a 2:29.31.
Later on again we saw the Tuck vs Miller battle at they went head to head in the 1600 meter run. Katie Tuck pulled away with a victory of 5:20.44 followed by Miller who even after competing in 3 other events came in with a 5:35. Some other notable performances and times came from the next 4 girls, Katie Lofland of St. Pius X (5:41.97), Stephanie Boan of Liberty North (5:44.09), Brooke Stearns of Smithville (5:57.41) and Jessica Jaenson of Grain Valley (5:58.09) Now even though all of these times may not have been superb they were a great motivator for all the girls since they are just freshman, leaving us wondering what they are capable once they grasp the concept of high school competition and experience.
Sammy Laurenzo got back on track with a victory in the girls 3200 dash. Laurenzo went sub 12 and appeared to be pleased with her 11:54.84 Watch for her to make another great run at the title this season. On that note, Laurenzo may have been one of the biggest stars to watch tonight but another young performer was out trying to bring in some solid times, and that is Katie Berger of Smithville who just nudged under the 12 marker going 11:59.46. Berger has shown great improvement and I wouldnt be shocked to see her drop her time into the mid 11's this season.
The most antcipated race of the night got heated, and Trenton once again came away with a big win popping out a 4:17.27! With that time, Trenton makes themselves known as a threat in thier area.
Back in the field events, West Platte's Senior Lexi Collier who threw a whopping 39-.05 to grab a big win over the Freshman Raven Price of Savannah. Price is easily one of the top throwing stars in the KC area, and with more experience, the message has been sent. look out. Collier also went home with a gold in the Discus. Collier threw a tremendous 110-0.00 to secure the victory over Host School Favorite, Nea Smith of Smithville.
FULL MEET RESULTS
