Takeaways from first day of Class 6A-5A state meet
The Class 6A and 5A state track and field meet began Friday in Ardmore. Here are some things that happened.
Westmoore boys break their 800 relay state record
The Westmoore boys track team continues to make history.
The Jaguars broke their state record in the 800-meter relay during the first day of the Class 6A state meet, finishing in 1 minute, 25.15 seconds. Tulsa Union was 1.84 seconds behind and placed second.
Westmoore, the defending champion, has dominated the race the past two years and set the record last season.
After two of the relay members graduated, the Jaguars have been even faster this season with Angel Duarte-Hedrick, Xavier Simpkins, Devian King and Kevion Williams.
They rebroke the record this year with a time of 1:25.20 and did it again Friday.
“It’s our coaches, our practices,” Williams said. “We practice hard every day, nonstop. Monday through Friday.”
Second-year coach Tim Grantham led the Jaguars to their first track title in school history last year.
Westmoore has kept improving since then and competed at the prestigious Penn Relays last month, becoming the first Oklahoma team to do so.
Williams said that experience had a big impact on him and the team.
“It taught me so much,” he said. “You can be the best in your city, your state, your school. But no matter what, there’s always going to be somebody else out there that’s better than you.”
Williams and Duarte-Hedrick were on the 800 relay last season as juniors.
King and Simpkins have filled in well, and Duarte-Hedrick said the team has a special camaraderie.
“The chemistry between us, it’s all there,” he said.
Westmoore’s relay team of David Boulanger, Lucas Forman, Tyler Stephens and Kolton Bennett also claimed a title Friday. They finished the 3,200 in 7:53.80.
Mustang freshman Watkins claims long jump title
Mustang’s Kassidi Wakins is still new to the long jump.
A freshman, this is the first year she started doing it. Despite that, Watkins proved Friday she’s the best in Class 6A.
Watkins won the state title in the event with a leap of 18-10.
“It was definitely a little stressful at first, but my nerves soon got off,” she said. “I was really excited to be here.”
Watkins has a background in tumbling. She said that might be one of the reasons she quickly became an elite long jumper.
“I did tumbling for 10 years, so I gained a lot of muscle from that,” she said. “I honestly think it’s kind of just natural talent.”
Trio of Deer Creek stars win titles
The first day of the Class 6A state meet went well for Deer Creek.
The Antlers had three athletes claim individual titles.
Oklahoma State track and field signee Rachel Neaves and OU football signee Jacob Sexton claimed championships in the discus with throws of 150-feet, 7inches and 167-11, respectively.
AJ Antonelli, who won the cross country state title in the fall, claimed the 3,200 championship in 9:19.41.
Piedmont boys start strong
The Piedmont boys team had a great opening day.
The Class 5A Wildcats won the 3,200 relay in 8:01.39 and had three runners place in the top three in the 3,200 race.
Colby Ferbrache won in 9:49.93 and was followed by Dade Humes (9:51.24) and Tanner Bailey (9:57.09).
Broken Arrow’s Payton Hinkle sets state meet record
Broken Arrow star and Oklahoma State signee Payton Hinkle won the Class 6A 3,200 race in 10:35.29, a state meet record.
Hinkle beat Edmond North’s Liesel Kehoe, who holds the overall state record in that event with a time of 10:30.30.
Brianna McLeod had held the state meet record after finishing in 10:50.34 while competing for Jenks in 2003.
Other standout performances
❚ Jenks’ Avery and Deborah Mazzei, Tarryn Lowry and Sophie Simmons broke the Class 6A state meet record in the 3,200 relay, finishing in 9:12.04.
❚ The Westmoore girls claimed the 800 relay title with a time of 1:40.20. The team includes Jayla Dean, Yasmine Johnson, Tiffany McCain and Renee Christian.
❚ Piedmont’s Karelle Morgan claimed the Class 5A pole vault title, clearing 11 feet.
❚ The Midwest City boys’ 800 relay team of Artez Young, Zavier Wilson, Camarian Smiley and Steven Brazille won in Class 5A with a time of 1:28.01.