Smith-Cotton track and field head coach Brad Hagedorn didn’t leave Tiger Stadium in the Jennie Jaynes Activities Complex until about 10:30 p.m. Friday.
The West Central Conference track and field meet took all day and some of the night. After the Lady Tigers claimed the conference title, and the boys team finished runner-up, Hagedorn said the time spent was worth it.
“I’m very, very proud of how our kids competed on Friday,” Hagedorn said. “It’s really tough to win in our conference. We’ve got some nice athletes. They came ready and did everything they had to do to get ready.”
Monique Grant, a sophomore, took first in the 100 meter dash, the 200m and the 400m. Grant finished the 100m in 12.74 seconds, and Nia Hawkins was runner-up in the at 12.97.
Mekeba Nash won the 300 meter hurdles.
Saige Peterson was conference champion in the 800m.
Elizabth Valesa earned the top mark in the high jump clearing five feet.
The 4×100 relay team of Nash, Hawkins, Dennise Reyes and Aiyah Mitchell won their event in 57.75 seconds.
Mitchell also placed second in the 300m hurdles and long jump. Her mark in the long jump was 17 feet-6 1/2 inches.
Hagedorn said he was pleased with the all-around team results on the girls’ side.
“It was kind of a fun day for the girls,” Hagedorn said. “Everyone did their deal. They all scored big points.”
Mikayla Gear placed second in the discus throw with a mark of 96 feet.
Warrensburg snapped a 3-year streak of Smith-Cotton WCC titles with a first-place team finish.
Hagedorn said there was little to be disappointed about.
“I thought our kids did everything in their power to put us in apposition to win,” Hagedorn said. “Warrensburg simply had better athletes that day. We didn’t really fall short where we thought we might. We just came up short to a better team that day.”
Charles Guier finished the 400m in 49.96 seconds to claim the conference title. Roberto Ramirez earned first place in javelin with a mark of 154 feet-10 inches.
Corey Bond finished runner-up in the 300m hurdles, third in 110m hurdles and fourth in triple jump, with a mark of 42 feet-5 inches.
Jack Marsh threw a 44-7 in shot put, finishing third. Chance Johnson was runner-up to Warrensburg’s Mason Janvrin in the high jump at 6 feet-4 inches and long jump at 22 feet.
With the district meet at Lee’s Summit North this Saturday, Hagedorn said the team will meet to put conference results behind them, and refocus.
“We want to prepare them physically and mentally to deal with the stress and the pressure to compete in those environments,” Hagedorn said. “Our practice dynamic will change and we’ll be able to train on a more personal level.”
The district meet begins at 10 a.m. Saturday.