State Track Championships a True Test of the Athletes Mettle

Jefferson City...The 86th boys and 38th girls state track championships, contested on the artifcial surface of Lewis T. Reed Stadium at Lincoln University in Jefferson City pushed all the athletes to the brink.

Soaring temperatures (in the high 90s, a sky with no cloud relief and humidity almost out of sight, it pushed the participants to their limits. Fortunately there were no medical problems among participants to report.

There were many story lines, but the season and the finale came down to the performances of Ladue's senior Jehu Chesson, II and juniors Ezekiel Elliott of John Burroughs and Amos Bartelsmeyer of MICDS.

Chesson, who next goes to Michigan for football won the 100 meter dash and 300 meter intermediate hurdles and took second to Aaron Mallet of McCluer North in the 110 high hurdles.

Bartlesmeyer blazed to the 1600 meter title in 4:14.66 and ran 800 meters in 1:52.76, a personal best but good for third place in this year's record-setting performance. Charles Jones of Cardinal Ritter dominated the half milers running 1:49.96 for a state record. Kellen Loch of Warrensburg was second at 1:51.28.

Elliott would tell you this was a disappointing meet for him personally. He lost to his nemesis Dapo Akinmoladum of Grandview in both the 110 highs and 300 meter intermediate hurdles. He finished fifth in the 100 yard dash.

Come back Monday and Patch will have extensive video; lots of photos and interviews with a number of star performers in this annual finish to the track and field season.