By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

Mother Nature had a big say in the Missouri Class 3-5 State Track and Field Championships. Originally scheduled for Jefferson City on Friday and Saturday, the three classifications had to be moved to three new locations due to an F-3 tornado that tore through central Missouri. The roof of the press box area at Adkins Stadium was blown off the building on Wednesday. But despite the adjustments, all three classifications were able to run their full state meets. 

Class 5 

Senior Devin Roberson of Jefferson City was the headliner, throwing the discus 218 feet, 4 inches on his final attempt to move to No. 7 all-time, US#1 this season, and a four-foot improvement on the Missouri all-time best. Earlier in the series he had thrown 213 feet. 

Roberson, who comes from the same city ravaged by the tornado, capped an emotion-filled week when he added 12 feet to his personal best. He also placed second in the shot put. 

At Battle High in Columbia, the Lee’s Summit West girls did not miss a beat, claiming their program's fourth consecutive Class 5 title. 

Senior Jessica Haney led the way for Lee Summit West winning the high jump (5-6) for the fourth year in a row. 

Northwest senior Megan Fortner threw 158 feet to win the javelin, improving to US#5. 

Lee Summit North's Devon Richardson cleared 6-10 to win the high jump and also won the triple jump (48-3.50). 

Joplin junior Zach Westmoreland won the javelin (194-6). 

Class 4

The Parkway North girls won the team title at Washington High as junior Alicia Burnett claimed the 100 meters in 11.58 seconds, good for US#25. She also won the 200 (23.83) and ran on the winning 4x200 (1:40.98) and 4x400 (3:59.40) relays. 

Junior Kaesha George of Monett won the javelin with a throw of 151-6. 

Junior Riley Burger of Notre Dame (Cape Girardeau) won the triple jump (39-10) and long jump (19-7.50). 

Lincoln Prep senior Mikayla Deshazer claimed her fourth straight discus title (148-10). 

The Grandview boys won the team title, which included a victory in the 4x200 relay (1:29.13) and junior Justice Akinmolad’s win in the shot put. 

Festus senior Maxwell McDaniel won the 1,600 meters (4:21.2) and 3,200 (9:27.23). 

Class 3

The Trinity Catholic boys and girls swept the team titles at the Mizzou Track and Field Complex in Columbia. 

Sophomore Akilah Heffner led the way for Trinity Catholic by winning the 100 hurdles (14.65). Three of her teammates finished 2-3-4 behind her. 

Trinity Catholic sophomore Sydney Juszczyk broke a meet record in the javelin (152-1) and was part of the winning 4x100 (48.47). 

Senior Kemeric Winston of Trinity Catholic won the 100 (10.71) and 200 (21.33) and helped power victories in the 4x100 (42.34) and 4x200 (1:27.76) relays. 

Every single point counted for the Blue Ridge girls at the Class 2/1 Missouri State High School Track and Field Championships on May 17-18. 

In Class 2, West Platte dominated the relays, claiming the 4x200 (1:46.62) 4x800 (10:07.01) and finished second in the 4x100 (49.84) to score 28 points en route to a team championship. 

Sophomore MiKenna Peters won the 100 hurdles (15.72) for West Platte. 

Monroe City won the boys team title as senior Blake Hays won the 400 (49.40) and finished third in the 200 (22.28).  

While Blue Ridge didn't win an individual event at Jefferson City High, it came together for a strong set of relays, winning the 4x100 (51.73), 4x200 (1:48.36) and 4x800 (10:02.46), and captured a critical third-place finish in the 4x400 (4:17.87) to tally 68 points and edge out Worth County (67 points). 

Freshman Delaney Straus of Marion County impressed, sweeping the small-school distance events -- winning the 800 (2:20.73), 1,600 (5:22.94) and 3,200 (11:55.71). 

Senior Jacob Querry led Rich Hill to team title as he won the 200 (22.42), 400 (50.63) and ran on the third-place 4x100 relay.     

Chadwick senior Evan Smith completed the distance trifecta, winning the 800 (2:02.40), 1,600 (4:28.25) and 3,200 (10:07.01). 

Team Champions

Class 5 -- Hazelwood West boys 66 points; Lee's Summit West girls 86 points

Class 4 -- Grandview boys 63 points; Parkway North girls 73 points

Class 3 -- Trinity Catholic boys 100 points; Trinity Catholic girls 118 points

Class 2 -- Monroe City boys 57 points; West Platte girls 50 points RESULTS

Class 1-- Rich Hill boys 47 points; Blue Ridge girls 68 points RESULTS