Another beautiful evening for these ladies to improve their times, work on a tan (despite the chilly weather), and make new friendships. The Jerry Crews Invitational has always been a high paced and well performed meet. But yesterday these girls really took it to the limit, lets check it out:
In the hurdles, our spotlight senior from Liberty got it done yet again in both the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. Kaylee Marquardt went out and made it known who she was, and what her mission was. So where do we start with this Seniors night? How about the 100 hurdles where a freshman by the name of Koinonia (Nia) Strong, went out strong and made her mission statement known to the KC hurdlers. Nia Strong really gave Marquardt a shock as they went hurdle over hurdle, side by side, and spike by spike. But don't get me wrong Kaylee Marquardt has some of the biggest respect for each and everyone of her competitors, hoping to continue her tremendous season, you could tell in her eyes she was proud to see that once she graduates another superb hurdler will take the reins. Now to Marquardt's 300 hurdle race where she yet again pulled out a slim but confident victory, but this time it was over her teammate Lauren Holm. The wind had picked up again as they got into their spikes and blocks, but that did not phase the Blue Jay podium placers, they kept their eyes set on the goal and the focus was intense. The gun shot and they went out... Holm had a half stride over Marquardt for the first 200 but then we saw the experience and composure of Marquardt take over and pull out a comeback victory with a 47.96, and Holm finished in a 48.00. But yet again taking the last spot on the podium was a freshman from Oak Park. Kaley Breault went 49.69, which is still an all around great time, and you could tell in her face that she was pleased with her performance and was honored to go against and compete with some of the top girls in the state.
In the 100 dash, Jazmin McCoy and Aliyah Lee went stride for stride the whole way, McCoy was able to defeat the freshman in the last half stride, using her experience and technique we have seen all season, she finished in a 12.37. Aliyah Lee a freshman from Oak Park, was a shocker though! Seeing a freshman compete in this atmosphere and competitive level was amazing. This out-break freshman snagged 2nd with a 12.89! She still is going to have to work to make it to the big race but i would keep her in my radar..
Jazmin McCoy took some big strides today, as she continued her winning season with a victory in the 200 dash. With the wind easing down at the start of her race McCoy could tell it was just going to be her day. She was absolutely right, McCoy flew out of the blocks, with near perfect technique and with her all-state speed, technique and experience McCoy squeezed a win over yet again another freshman. McCoy hit a fabulous 25.76, over the Liberty freshman Sharee Zombo who stepped in right behind her going 25.86.
In the girls 400 dash it was a battle of the "young guns" Brady Rodney of St. Joseph Central (Sophomore) and Aliyah Lee of Oak Park (Freshman), surprised alot of people and snagged silver and gold. Rodney had the lead all the way and despite her nerves and what some may say inexperience... Rodney survived and blazed under the 60 second barrier going 59.38 to win big. The fight for 2nd was on and Aliyah Lee is still on her goal to make a name for herself. A name we all may know already Casey Zollman was trying to keep her reputation alive. Lee took into the backstretch dead even in stride with Zollman, but Lee's kick proved dominate over the Senior of Liberty. Lee fought hard and kicked herself into a time of 1:01.31. Zollman of Liberty just followed, as she wasn't able to take advantage of her track famililiarity going still an impressive 1:01.59.
Now its time yet again for those blazers of the sport, the distance kids. We will start with the most dominating victory out there. Marie Taylor of Liberty got it done once again, winning huge with a 2:22.23. Haley Loftus of Staley(2:31.53), and Johnna McGlaughlin of Liberty (2:31.93) were able to keep Taylor in their grasp, until the famous Liberty Kick was brought into place. We have seen it from so many of the great runners out of Liberty, including last years boys 3200 meter Champ Cody Troy Smith. But Marie Taylor really showed us a kick, sticking in the pack for the first 600 meters and then she shot off like a rocket, winning by 8 seconds.
In the 1600 meter run, North Kansas City's Hannah DeVries went out and really made a impact out there today going 5:22.97. DeVries was able to hold off the competition and prove to us once again she can run with the best. DeVries seemed to just be taking advantage of the back stretch wind, by surging the straight aways and coasting the curves, until the final lap where she gave all she had.
In the 3200 meter run, Sammy Laurenzo of Liberty North is seeming to get back on track and pace with what we saw last year. Laurenzo has now broken the 12 minute mark and has her eyes set on greater things. Laurenzo's official time was 11:57.74, which is over 20 seconds faster than 2nd place. Laurenzo we saw a "new" technique out of her as we saw her striding the curves and unleashing a force we haven't seen all season. But in 2nd place we saw an even stronger kick of Sarah Hassan of Liberty who fought from the middle pack to 2nd place. Hassan really took that race into her hands, as they all saw Laurenzo was going to claim first, the fight for 2nd was on.. Kelsey Jones and Sarah Hassan of Liberty flexed their muscles and went 2/3 with times of 12:17.26 (Hassan) and 12:19.02 (Jones). If these Liberty girls can build up their strength and opening mile speed, they could be contending with some of the big dogs come later this season.
The Relays on the girls side were definitely not a one team oriented thing... 3 different teams pulled out victories in the 4 relay events, showing us the depth of KC relay teams. In the 4x100 meter run, Winnetonka survived over Staley with a 51.92. Staley grabbed Silver with a 52.07. In the 4x200 Staley was able to redeem themselves and go clutch over the girls of North Kansas City, with each hand off looking near perfect, the race was left in the hands of the anchors. They pushed side by side, through the back stretch wind and the roaring screams of the fans, they kept focused on the goal. It came down to the last step and Staley proved themselves winning with a 1:47.11 and North Kansas City finished 2nd with a 1:47.60. Now let's go out of order here a little and keep the Falcon steam alive,before they lost the close one in the 4x400.The 4x800 had green leading the whole way as they walked away with the grils 4x800, winning with a 10:14.80 over a strong Liberty team who was only able to go10:23.46. We know both teams can deliver more, but with the circumstances of the meet these times were actually good. Now we are gonna finish up these relays with the evenings last event the 4x400. Liberty redeemed themselves going 4:10.56 edging out there biggest rival of the day and area Staley, who went 4:11.55. Staley and Liberty really battled it out in the mid distance relays but overall the Staley relays, proved to be absolutely dominate. Their hand offs were on que, their intensity was their and the speed and determination speaks for itself.
The throwers out there was a single lady show in each event, in the Shot Put Miss Payton White of Liberty did what we all expected winning, but also winning in fashion and big. She through an impressive 38-4.00, to defeat Winnetonka's Diamond Mosby-Norris who tossed an All-Missouri throw of 35-06.50. In the Discus it was a Staley kind of day, they went one two with Liberty finishing in third. But yet again our leader went out and dominated by herself, winning with a toss of 129-05, Ali Taylor continues to make headlines. in 2nd also from Staley was Lauren McCrosky who tossed a 120-02. Liberty and Staley have really dominated throughout this whole meet but with these throwers going big here it just adds to the teams résumé.
And to finish up the report lets head to the jumpers, who ladies and gentleman do need some recognition especially after todays performances. Freshman Kiesha Bailey won with a 5 flat on the high jump, showing that no matter her lack of experience she will take on anyone and pull ahead and secure the win no matter the height. In the sand pits, Jazmin McCoy and Freshman Kiesha Bailey repped well for North Kansas City going one and two. McCoy won again with a 19-09.00 and Bailey went 17-06.00 to grab second, on the other sand pit...Staley swept the podium going one, two, and three. Leading the way was Monique Townson who won with a 35-04.00, followed by Kelsey McConnell who went 33-05.00, and Marissa Preston who grabbed Bronze with a 32-08.00. Staley really cleaned up there and yet again we see Staley dominating throughtout this meet. Our Pole Vaulters were good but Heather Glenn of Liberty was great she went 11-03.00, winning by nearly 3 feet, just having fun out there she knew the victory was inevidable as long as she could hold on to her composure.
Overall its hard to say what who was the team of the meet..But the conclsuion we can come to is the underclassman, especially freshman from this KC area are coming big and coming strong. Watch out for them and please no longer let us consider them underdogs, they proved they can compete with the best lets give them the respect they deserve. Staley and Liberty went close though, winning event after event after event so keep your eyes on them as we get ready to hit the middle part of the year. Some athletes were able to get their heads back in it and prove themselves, not to the media or spectators or scouts, but to themselves that if they believe in themselves they will go far. And as always, we have our shining superstars glimmered in the sky, proving that the KC area has athletes that are going to be come threats once State comes.
Photos by Greg Hall
Boys Recap