Rams' Goodin is plain good at sectional meet

Scott City junior Derek Goodin liked the addition of a sectional meet in Class 2 track for the first time this spring.

"You need to perform two meets in a row," Goodin said. "You are not a fluke if you get into state this way."

Goodin is no fluke. He didn't just qualify but did so as a sectional champion in the 300-meter hurdles.

Goodin, who finished seventh in the event at state last year as a sophomore, ran a 41.17 on Saturday at the sectional meet at Principia High School in St. Louis County.

"It has been a good season, and I was happy with the race I ran today," said Goodin, who had finished second in the hurdles at districts

Maplewood's Bryant Allen, who finished first in the district, did not participate in the sectional meet.

Goodin knocked off two-tenths of a second off his time at districts.

"I feel stronger this year," Goodin said. "Last year I had an infection in my foot, and I have been healthy all year so far. I think it will also help going to state knowing what to expect. My goal is to finish in the top three at state this year."

Goodin also will be competing next weekend at the state meet in Jefferson City in the 3,200-meter relay. He and teammates Derek Laxton, Chris Klinge and Matt Koehler finished third Saturday. The top four from each sectional, which paired the top four from two districts, advance to state.

Stephanie Essner will be the only girl to compete at state from Scott City. But she goes into state with a lot of momentum and two first-place finishes.

Essner the 100-meter hurdles in 15.93 seconds and posted a 58.94 to capture the 400-meter dash. Essner also qualified in the 200 with a third-place finish.

Kelly's Londyn Backfisch, who won four events at last weekend's district meet, did not win any events at sectionals. But she finished in the top four in all four events and also will be busy next weekend. Backfisch was second in the 100 and 200, and she was third in the 400-meter dash and the high jump. She was the only Kelly girl to qualify for state.

The Hawks boys got two individuals and a relay team on to state. Spencer Ayers was third in the shot put, and Cody Kern was fourth in the 3,200-meter run. Kern also advanced in the 3,200-meter relay, which finished fourth. He was joined on the team by Omar Campos, Blake Wade and Josh Rogers.

Chaffee will send four athletes to the state meet in Jefferson City. Gage Harrell was second in the boys 300 hurdles, Trenton Horman was third in the boys high jump, Rachel Hendrix finished third in the girls 200 and Sarah Sigman was fourth in the long jump.