Ladue Boys Win Sectional Track Meet

Ladue senior Drew Padgett was thinking about last year's Class 4 Sectional Meet as he lined up at the start of the 3,200-meter run Saturday at Lafayette.

"Last year I had made it through to state in the mile but I was tired and didn't make it in the two mile," Padgett said. "I did not want that to happen again."

And it did not as Padgett, who qualified for the state meet next weekend in Jefferson City with a fourth place finish in the 1,600-meter run, not only qualified in the 3,200-meter but he won it with a time of 9:38.67.

"I led for most of the race in the mile and then three guys passed me at the end," Padgett said. "I was just glad it was not four."

The top four finishers in each event qualify for the state meet.

"Last year I had my worst time of my season in the two mile in the sectional," Padgett said. "I wanted to give it everything I had this season."

Padgett was all-state in the 1,600 last year, finishing eighth. He looks for even bigger things in his final high school event next weekend.

"I want to be all-state in both this year," Padgett said. "My other goal is to set the school record in the two mile."

That is a long standing mark which was set by Mike Currinder in 1985. Currinder ran a 9:23. Padgett has a best this year of 9:25.

Padgett's efforts helped the Ram boys to a team title at sectional. Ladue finished with 60 points. Kirkwood was a close second with 58.5 points followed by Rockwood Summit with 56.

Mike Horton-Loftin was also a sectional champion for the Rams. He won the shot put with a throw of 50-5.25.

The Rams also won the 4x100-meter relay as Domonique Brown, Jehu Chesson, Fletcher Coates and Cameron Harder ran a 42.48.

Chesson, Coates and Harder teamed with Kortland Webb to finish third in the 4x400-meter relay.

Chesson and Coates also qualified to state  in individual events. Chesson was third in the 300-meter hurdles while Coates was second in the 200-meter dash.

Montenea Roye was a double-sectional champion for the Ram girls. Roye won the 200-meter dash (24.64) and the 400-meter dash (54.41).

Samantha Levin also was a sectional champion. The defending state champion in the 800-meter run captured that event Saturday in 2:14.34.

Levin was also part of a winning relay team. Levin teamed with Shayla Arnold, Jordan Garner and Kate Holloway to win the 4x400-meter relay in 3:53.96.

Holloway, Anna Nelson, Levin and Emily Warner qualified for state with a fourth place finish in the 4x800-meter elay.

Jocelyn Todd had a very good meet for the Rams as she finished ahead of her seed with fourth place finishes in the 1,600 and 3,200. And in sectional a fourth place finish is almost as good as a first.

"We had one major casuality out of 16 events," Ladue coach Keith Harder said. "The girls were the top seed in the 4x200-meter relay but dropped the baton. But otherwise we had a good day. We are where we want to be at this time."

St. Joseph's Academy was the other area team in the sectional. The Angels did not qualify anyone to the state meet.

Lindbergh won the girls meet with 99 points.