Blog

By Jim Wieners

Hazelwood Central is attempting to do something that they have not accomplished in the history of the school’s athletic program.

That is three-peating in the Missouri State High School Activities Association Championships. The closest Central got to three-peating was in Class Six Football as the Hawks won in 2008 and 2009 but lost by a field goal in 2010 to Kansas City Rockhurst.

Hazelwood Central has the chance to three-peat in Class Four Boys Track & Field and that opportunity comes this weekend, May 25-26, at Dwight T. Reed Stadium on the Lincoln University campus in Je4fferson City.

Hazelwood Central, in each of the last two years scored less than 50 points but managed each year to score enough to win state. Both times the Hawks edged to Liberty to win state.

Hazelwood Central outscored Liberty and Lee’s Summit West 49-37 in 2010 while in 2011 the Hawks outscored Liberty and Rockwood Summit, 41-34.

Last year Hazelwood Central secured a state repeat when the Hawks won the 4×400-Meter Relay. So far the Hawks won conference, district and sectionals in the 4×400 Relay; district 4×800 Relay and sectional 4×200 Relay. Also Sean Willis was a sectional winner at 200 Meters.

McCluer North could be Hazelwood Central’s biggest challenger from the Suburban North Conference. Hurdler Aaron Mallet has won district and sectionals at 110 Meters and sectionals at 300 Meters. Distance runner Nicholas Stewart has district and sectional wins at 3,200 Meters and won the sectional 1,600 Meters. Keith Jones won district discus.

McCluer is strong in field events as High Jumper Malik Ray and Triple Jumper Darrion Dillard both won district and sectional competition. Also McCluer got a district win from Jared Ingram at 200 Meters.

Hazelwood East could also have a say at state boys. Sprinter Timothy Harris won district and sectionals at 100 Meters while hurdler Bobby Smith won district at 300 Meters. East won district and sectional 4×100 Relay and district 4×200 Relay

Riverview Gardens will be represented by district and sectional Long Jump Champion Cory Winfield. St. Louis University High will have district and sectional 400 Meter winner Alex Groesch and district 800-Meter winner John Esswein.

GIRLS — Hazelwood East sprinter Tianna Valentine is going for her third straight state title at 100 Meters after winning this year’s event at district and sectional competition. Valentine also has district and sectional wins at 200 Meters.

McCluer North won district 4×200 Relay and the Sectional 4×100 Relay. 100-Meter Hurdler Kimberlin Simon won district and Sectional. Rachel Culberson won district 400 Meters

Hazelwood West 300-Meter Hurdler Tyler Kelly won district and sectional competition while Pole Vaulter Lauralyn Rosenberger won districts. Hazelwood Central won sectional 4×200 Relay. McCluer High Jumper and Triple Jumper Alauna Ray won districts.