Lightfoot Puts Stamp On State Meet With 18-0 In Pole Vault

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

It was the one record he didn’t have yet. But after Friday’s performance at the Missouri Class 3-5 state track and field meet, KC Lightfoot can call himself a state meet record holder.

At Licklider Stadium at Jefferson High, Lightfoot, a senior from Lee’s Summit, vaulted 18 feet to win the Class 5 title and break Chris Nilsen’s record of 17 feet.

“It felt good to finally get it,” Lightfoot said. “I’ve worked so hard and that was the last major high school record I needed to get, so getting the record was great, but to keep going and later clear 18 (feet) was even better.”

Lightfoot’s performance marks six straight weeks he’s cleared 18 feet in pole vaulting competitions.

Sophomore Brandon Miller of John Burroughs lit up the Class 3 800 meters by running away from the field for a US#2 time of 1:49.55. Miller also ran 4:23.00 to win the 1,600 meters.

Sophomore Justin Robinson of Hazelwood West claimed the Class 5 200 (21.62) and set a state meet record in the 400 meters by running an impressive 46.93.

Jada Moore of Pattonville won the Class 5 girls 100 in 11.93 seconds and she was second to Monique Grant of Smith-Cotton (24.20) in the 200.

The Rockbridge boys won the 4x100 (41.28), 4x200 (1:26.4) and 4x400 (3:18.2) relays in Class 5.

Lee’s Summit West’s Makayla Kelby dominated the Class 5 throws, setting a meet record in the discus with a throw of 166-8, and also winning the shot put (46-7.25).

Victoria Findley of Blue Springs South won the Class 5 1,600 meters (4:51.07) and 3,200 (10:47.03).

Jessica Haney of Lee’s Summit West cleared 5-9 to win the Class 5 high jump.

In Class 4 action, Joshua Sutton of Mary Institute-Country Day, swept the 100 (10.62) and 200 (21.25).

Webb City senior Ryan Riddle won the Class 4 1,600 meters (4:08.42) and also the 3,200 (9:09.03).

Nathan Swadley of Willard won the Class 4 shot put (59-5.75) and discus (189-3).

Mikalya Reed of Washington was one of the top performers of the weekend. The Mizzou-bound distance runner scored 40 points for her team, winning the Class 4 800 (2:15.26), 1,600 (4:58.21), 3,200 (11:10.14), and she also took a leg on the winning 4x800 relay (9:32.2).

In Class 3, Cardinal Ritter junior Jameson Williams had a busy meet as he won the 300 hurdles (37.47), 400 meters (48.68) and placed second in the 100 (10.94) and 200 (21.53).

Summit Christian Academy junior Lenetta Lee won the Class 3 100 (12.11) and 200 (24.6).

Class 1 and 2, May 18-19

In Class 2 action, Antonio Norman, a senior from Cleveland NJROTC, won the 110 hurdles (14.8) and 300 hurdles (37.77). Teammate Kelsey Cole claimed the long jump (22-5.75) and triple jump (48-3.25).

University Academy Charter sophomore Ariyonna Baston swept the Class 2 100 (12.44) and 200 (25.57).

Jefferson junior Anna Heacock won the Class 2 100 hurdles (15.36) and 300 hurdles (45.56).

Rich Hill junior Jacob Querry won the Class 1 200 (22.53) and 400 (50.54).

Sophomore Jasmine Taylor of Braymer claimed the Class 1 200 (26.06) and 400 (58.27).

Ann Gladstone, a sophomore from Worth County won the Class 1 100 hurdles (15.63) and long jump (16-10), and she also placed fourth in the high jump to help her team to a state crown.

RESULTS - CLASS 5 | CLASS 4 | CLASS 3 | CLASS 2 | CLASS 1

Team Champions

5A -- Lee's Summit North boys 60 points; Lee's Summit West girls 86 points

4A -- Carthage boys 62; Mary Institute-Country Day School girls 88

3A -- Cardinal Ritter boys 72; John Burroughs girls 62

2A -- Cleveland NJROTC boys 75; Knob Noster girls 50

1A -- Van-Far boys 64; Worth County girls 50