Jackson breaks Central's 200 mark

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Central sophomore Nicole Jackson had her sights set on the school record in the 200-meter dash from the start of the track season this year.

While a leg injury slowed her pursuit toward the end of the season, Jackson recovered in time to get the record when it counted most.

She ran a school-record time of 24.93 seconds to finish second in the 200 on Saturday at the Class 4 state track championships at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.

After winning the sectional meet last weekend, Jackson said, "I'm mostly trying to break the record. That's where I'm going to get it, at state."

Jackson proved prophetic, beating the old record of 25.02.

"It felt nice, felt good," Jackson said. "I was ready. That was my event right there."

Saturday's result in the 200 helped erase a disappointing Friday which saw Central fail to qualify in the 400 and 800 relays, events both anchored by Jackson.

"I was very disappointed that we couldn't have done better, but I'm sure we'll come back next year with it," Jackson said.

All-state Indians

Jackson had two girls bring home two all-state medals apiece Saturday in Class 4. Senior Rebecca Martin finished eighth in the shot put with a throw of 37 feet, 6 1/4 inches and ran a leg of the sixth-place 400 relay. Martin finished sixth in the shot put last year.

Rachel Kahle, a sophomore, finished eighth in the 100 with a time of 12.45, a shade faster than her preliminary time. She ran the anchor on the 400 relay.

Other relay members were Jordan Cook and Kami Miinch. The Indians again bettered 50 seconds with a time of 49.52.

"Now that everyone knows how capable we are, I think we'll get some more freshmen out, and most of us are back," Kahle said. "We'll miss Rebecca, but I think we'll have another shot."

Daniel takes two medals

The area had another competitor earn two all-state medals, as Notre Dame senior Katie Daniel competed in the Class 3 event finals of the 100 and 300 hurdles on Saturday.

Daniel finished fourth in the 100 hurdles with a time of 15.44. The winner, McKenzie Rhea, finished in 15.11.

The 300 did not go as well for Daniel. She finished seventh in a time of 48.24. Daniel simply did not look right as she ran one of her worst times of the year.

"In my 300 I just didn't feel right, and I'm disappointed in how I did," Daniel said.

Other local finishers

In other girls action on Saturday, Central sophomore Brianna Egbuka finished ninth in the Class 4 shot put.

Also in Class 4, Rachel Lowes of Jackson was 15th in the 800 (2:26.40), and Central freshman Nadia Cox was 15th in the triple jump (33-9).

In Class 3, Perryville freshman Elizabeth Martin finished 14th in the 800 (2:28.17).