WEBB WINS LONG JUMP STATE TITLE

JEFFERSON CITY -- Dionna Webb's best was good enough after all.

Webb took first place in the long jump at the Class 4A Track and Field Championships with a school-record jump of 18 feet, 11 1/2 inches Friday, blowing away the competition by 10 1/2 inches.

"I just gave it all that I had," Webb said. "I wanted to get first, but I knew there would be other girls I would have to beat. My main goal was to do the best I could. I think I'm still in awe that I actually won. I don't think it's hit me yet."

Webb took the state title in her last jump of the day, passing Rolla freshman Eziamaka Okafor who jumped 18-1.

Webb's best jump prior to her final attempt was 17-11, which would have been the second straight year Webb would've taken second in state.

"For the first time this year, she had troubles hitting the board," said Central girls coach Lawrence Brookins. "She only hit the board one time (today) and she made it count."

"My coach said `you have to get past 18-6.' I've jumped 18-6, but that's as far as I've ever jumped. When they said 18-11 1/1, I was like `Oh my gosh.' It felt good."

Columbia Hickman's Abbe Ohneck figured to be Webb's toughest competition, but she took fourth with a jump of 17-10.

Webb also qualified for two sprinting events, taking second in her heat in the 100-meter dash at :12.3 and third in the 200 at :25.3.

Also earning all-state honors during the first day of a two-day meet was Heather Jenkins in the discus.

Jenkins, a sophomore, took fourth with a toss of 134-6, well below her season best. The state champion, Dion McNeal from Parkway West, posted a throw of 146 feet, two feet shy of Jenkins' personal best.

Jenkins will compete in the shot put today.

Freshman Brittnay Ballard didn't earn all-state honors with her 11th-place finish (only the top eight make all-state) in the 3,200, but her time of 11:39 broke her own school record by five seconds.