Central, Jackson bring plenty of relays to state

While track and field is predominantly an individual sport, the area's two Class 4 high schools -- Central and Jackson -- have excelled at the one team event, the relays.

The two schools will bring a combined seven relay groups to the Class 4 state track meet, which begins today at Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City.

Central will compete in the 400 and 800 relays on both the boys and girls meets and also will compete in the girls 3,200 relay. Jackson's girls will run in the 400 and 800 relays.

For the Tigers, an almost entirely new sprint relay crew on the boys side has picked up where last year's group left off. Central finished seventh in the 800 relay last year.

"I've been looking at the times, and I haven't seen anything we can't accomplish," Central sophomore Anwar Glenn said. "I feel real confident we can do good. It's definitely not going to be easy, but I have faith in my boys."

Glenn is the only returning member from the 800 squad.

Allen Walker, who will run in the open 100, Tyler Terry and Hykeem Hammonds combine with Glenn to run on both relay squads. All four are sophomores.

Some difficulties with baton exchanges slowed the Tigers in the 800 relay at the sectional, where they finished third. Central was better in the 400 relay, finishing second right behind Eureka.

"We've been working really hard lately trying to get our handoffs down," Terry said.

Added Glenn: "We just need to clean up mainly one handoff. I think we've got it now."

On the girls side, Jackson and Central have been pushing each other in the 400 and 800 relays all year long. Jackson has had the edge throughout much of the year and continued that at the sectional meet, finishing ahead of the Tigers in both events.

Jackson won the 800 relay at the sectional meet and should have a chance to earn all-state in the event this year. The Indians qualified for state in both the 400 and 800 relays last year but failed to make the top eight.

"I think we definitely have a chance," said Rebecca Martin, who runs on both relay teams.

Jordan Cook and Rachel Kahle also run on both teams, while Kami Miinch runs on the 400 relay and Rachel Lowes runs in the 800 relay. Kahle, Lowes and Martin also qualified in individual events.

"We're going to have to bring our 'A' game, I'll tell you that," Jackson coach Bob Sink said. "There will be plenty of competition."

Central sophomore Nicole Jackson anchors both the 400 and 800 relay teams. Meg Yates, Dani Gross and Roxanne Jackson run on the 800, while Yates, Nadia Cox and Brittany Thomas join Nicole Jackson on the 400.

Individually, the pole vault could be a big event for area competitors. Jackson's Amy West finished sixth in the state last year. Despite a foot injury, she is coming off wins at the district and sectional meets. West has successfully vaulted 10 feet, 6 inches this season, which should give her a legitimate shot at a state title.

"She's risen to the occasion the last two weeks," Sink said. "She really jumped well in the district meet. If she can have another good day Friday who knows what'll happen."

Central will have a pair of competitors in the boys pole vault. Lance Altenthal and Matt Willingham both cleard 13-6 at the sectional.

Jackson senior Andy Glass could also be a state title contender in the shot put. Glass threw 55-3 at the sectional, which would have ranked third in the state last year.

"I still don't think Andy's thrown the best he's capable of," Sink said. "Last week all of his throws were over 55 feet. I really think he has an opportunity to be in the top two or three. When you get up there, you never know what can happen."

Kahle in the 100 and Nicole Jackson in the 200 are both coming off sectional wins and should be considered all-state contenders. Jackson finished sixth in the 200 at last year's state meet.

"I'm mostly trying to break the [school] record," said Jackson. "That's where I'm going to get it, at state."

Martin, who won the shot put at the sectional meet, is also a returning all-stater after a sixth-place finish in the shot put last year. Jackson has four throwers in all at the state meet, with Billy Uren and Amanda Peiffer competing in the discus.

Central will compete in three jumping events, with freshman Nadia Cox entered in the long jump and triple jump and Terry in the triple jump.