Locals Score Big at Annual Ladue Track Meet

Some 39 teams and about 1,000 athletes took part in the annual Brusca-Strobach track meet, held on the artificial surface at Ladue Horton Watkins High School Saturday. Skies were crystal clear and it was a little windy, but conditions were perfect for runners with temperatures in the mid 50s.

Some of the Patch area athletes had what could be described as a breakout weekend.

Lot's more photos on the Ladue-Frontenac Facebook page.

Here’s how some of the stars did yesterday:

Ezekiel Elliott, John Burroughs

Before heading off to football at Ohio State, Elliott has some unfinished business on the local tracks.

He skipped the Kansas Relays to participate in the conference meet Friday night at Lutheran South and the Brusca/Strobach meet Saturday. His coach Daniel Harris said their goal was to simulate the state championship atmosphere, competing on a Friday and a Saturday, later in May.

Elliott smoked the field, winning the 110 high hurdles in 11.13 and won the 100 meter dash in 11.13.

“The season has been coming along OK. At times it’s rough. I’m just getting into shape,” said Elliott, rushing back to the 100 yard dash in a few moments.

He had his reasons to skip KU this year.

“I didn’t think there was all that much competition there so we decided to skip the trip,” he said.

“We thought Aaron Mallett (state champ from McCluer North) was going to be here,” but he went down to Cape (Girardeau) instead.”

Harris says he continues to have clean races, though he hasn’t faced the major competitors yet. “We are ready to having him do more. I love the fact that he is focused on competing at the highest level every time he races. We’re excited about what he’s doing and the great leadership he is providing his teammates."

Madison Barker, Ladue middle distance star

The red-headed junior cruised to first in the  400 meter dash in 57.60 and first in the 200 meter dash in 26.00.  I feel pretty good about that. I just wanted to go out there and keep my chin down. The wind was picking up on the last curve but not too terrible.

I kind of pulled my quad a little, so this is only my second meet back.  I ran the 4 x 4 at the Henle Holmes (Parkway Central) last week just preparing for cross country.

I hope to run collegiately, and I will run the longer sprints, the 200, the 400," she said.

Colin Cernik, Ladue 800 meter runner

He took fifth in the half mile in a very competitive field in a race won by Jefferson City’s Caleb Ruth. Cernik ran a 2:02.93.

“Last year, in this same meet, in the relays, I was going about 2;04-2:05. By districts last year, I was getting down to where I am now.

Cernik, who will run for the Lindenwood University Lions has set a goal of trying to break the school of about 1:56. Cody Medler did that and I’d like to finish faster than him.”

He will major in biology in pre-medicine hoping to become a bio-engineer.

Local notables

Andrew Bartnett, Burroughs pole vault, second, 13 feet, 6 inches

Brandon Harrison, Ladue, triple jump, second, 42-02

Jaelin McGull, Buroughs, discus, first. 148 feet, 11 inches.

Jordan McClendon, Burroughs, shot put, second, 39 feet, 10 inches

Ezekiel Elliott, Burroughs, 100 yard dash, first, 11.13, first 110 high hurdles, 14.33.

Kaitlen Crawford, Ladue, second in the 300 intermediate hurdles, 49.85. She is a freshman.

Madison Barker, Ladue, first in 200 meters 26.00 and first in 400 meters 57.60.

Kirk Smith, Burroughs, 3200 meter run. Second in 9:35.35.

Ladue girls, first 4 x 800 relay, first in 4 x 100 relay.