Ladue Captures Third at Sun-Drenched 54 Team Invitational Track Meet

Next stop for Ladue football/track star Jehu Chesson is Ann Arbor and football at the University of Michigan. But his senior year is not yet complete.

Saturday, Chesson blazed to first place in the 300 meter hurdles, knocking off his old nemesis Aaron Mallet from McCluer North.

Chesson ran a perfectly clean race in 47.7 in the annual Phil Brusca/Connie Strobach track meet on Ladue’s oval.

His time was a personal best this year. He won the Missouri Class 4 title in Jefferson City last spring in 47.4.

“That was nice to win, but the only thing that really matters is the state meet May 25 in Jeff City," he said moments after winning.  Saturday was a pretty good day for the long-legged hurdler.

He ran on the first place 4 X 100 meter hurdle team; took second with the 4 X 200 relay and wobbled over the hurdles for third in the 110 high’s.

Saturday was a memorable night for Chesson and many of his teammates. He wore a snappy white tuxedo and pink vest to the school’s prom at Windows Off Washington. "My girlfriend picked out the outfit,” he revealed.

Chesson was born in Liberia, West Africa. His name Jehu means fast driver. “Actually I’m a very slow driver. I only drive fast on the track,” he said.

Chesson really wanted a good performance. He hit the last hurdle in the 300 his sophomore at the Brusca-Strobach meet, finishing third. Last year’s event was rained out.

On the relay team, he joined up with Shawn Whitley, Trey Walker and Cedric Hurse.

“We brought a lot of people together and we’re doing pretty well this season,” he said. Next weekend, he will ply his skills at the Alvin Miller Track meet at Kirkwood.

In June, he will enroll in summer school at Michigan. Will he run track for the Wolverines?  “My priorities are my education, football and then track if that is possible,” he said.

Ladue sophomore Daniel Lloyd burst out of his own shadow to have a good. meet. He ran a 4:52 mile, a personal best. “I’m really a back runner, I even surprised myself today,” said the young distance man.

Normally a two-miler, he is shooting for a 4:45 mile next.

Maddie Barker, another sophomore for Ladue ran the 400 meters in 1:02.40, good for fifth place.

“I enjoyed the race. It was a good experience. I’m just starting to get into all of this,” said Barker.

The Ladue boys captured the 4 X 800 relay in 8:12.83. This included Cameron Harder, Nathan Rushing, Cody Medler and Colin Cernik.

The Rams swept to third in the 4 X 200 relay: Devon Collins, Whitley, Harder and Chesson.

Michael Horton-Loftin of Ladue won the shot put at 53.00. Medler, who is headed to California-Santa Barbara was second in the 3200 meter run in 9;43.60. Nick Stewart of McCluer North won in 9:38.09.

The Ladue girls took a second in the 4 X 800 relay with the quartet of Kate Holloway, Anna Nelson, Kte White and Emily Warner.

Anna Nelson, sophomore was second in the 3200 meter run in 11:38.12.

The 54 team meet, one of the most popular in the region was directed by Ladue head track coach Keith Harder.