Central's Cox reaches state with PR jump

MANCHESTER, Mo. -- Central freshman Nadia Cox could hardly contain her joy as she ran to hug her jumps coach after hearing her distance on her final try in the triple jump at Saturday's Class 4 sectional meet at Parkway South High School.

Cox put up her best jump of the season when it counted most, qualifying to the state meet with a distance of 35 feet, 2 inches for a second-place finish. Coming in to the sectional, Cox brought in a distance of 33-7 1/4 from the district meet, which was only the sixth-best distance of the eight sectional qualifiers.

The top four finishers in each event qualify for the Class 4 state meet which begins Friday in Jefferson City.

Cox said she didn't know what to expect coming into her first sectional meet, but she definitely exceeded any expectations she may have had.

"I didn't expect to get second in the triple jump and have it be my personal record," Cox said.

Her big day in the triple jump was not all Cox had to celebrate, as the freshman also qualified for the state meet in the long jump with a third-place jump of 16-4 1/2 and was a member of the 400 relay team which qualified in third place.

"I'm hoping I can get in the top eight, all-state," she said of her events. "It's good to be a freshman going in three events to state."

Added Central coach Lawrence Brookins: "Nadia Cox had a real nice day again. For a freshman, she's just blowing it up."

In order to earn a spot in the top eight at state, Cox likely will have to jump another personal record. The eighth-place jump last year was more than 36 feet. The sectional winner at Parkway South, Chantae McMillan of Rolla, jumped 38-4.

If Cox can continue to make strides as she has done over the course of the season, another personal record could be in the cards at Jefferson City.

"In the triple jump I'm getting a lot better," Cox said. "I'm getting my stuff down. I got my PR and I'm happy."

For the boys team, Central sophomore Tyler Terry won the triple jump and will compete in two relay events at state as well.

Central state qualifiers

Girls

Long jump -- 3. Nadia Cox, 16-4 1/2.

Triple jump -- 2. Cox, 35-2.

Shot put -- 3. Brianna Egbuka, 33-9 1/2.

3,200 relay -- 3. (Linnea Woldtvedt, Lindsey Pingel, Rachel Burchyett, Holly Shaffer), 9:53.99.

800 relay -- 3. (Meg Yates, DanI Gross, Roxanne Jackson, Nicole Jackson), 1:45.81.

400 relay -- 3. (Cox, Yates, Brittany Thomas, N. Jackson), 50.44.

200 -- 1. N. Jackson, 25.36.

Boys

Pole vault -- 2. Lance Altenthal, 13-6, 2. Matt Willingham, 13-6.

Triple jump -- 1. Tyler Terry, 43-6 1/4.

100 -- 4. Allen Walker, 10.93.

800 relay -- 3. (Anwar Glenn, Hykeem Hammonds, Terry, Walker), 1:31.26.

400 relay -- 2. (Hammonds, Terry, Glenn, Walker). 43.24.