Lady Jays place third in two relays

The Jefferson City girls 4x100- and 4x200-meter relay teams didn't have much time to spare between the two races, so they quickly got off the medal stand after finishing third in the 4x200 to prepare for the 4x100.

The schedule only had 50 minutes between the two, but that became about a six-hour gap after severe weather hit the Class 5 state track and field championships at Adkins Stadium.

The team left the facility, came back and picked up another third-place finish.

"It's amazing. I was so proud of my team," Jefferson City senior Naomi Kerkula said. "They are awesome."

Kerkula, Niya Slaughter, Jacquelyn Walker and Caitlin Anderson broke their own school record with a time of 1:41.32 in the 4x200.

"It's really exciting," Walker said. "We all felt really strong."

Walker started the third leg in fifth place and worked her way to fourth. Anderson got to third on the anchor leg.

"This is one of our strongest races and we all really love it," Walker said.

Walker was all-state in the 300-meter hurdles last season, but a quad injury has hindered her this season. She was one spot away from qualifying for state in the event, but she's still able to finish her high school career at state in two relays.

"It's been feelings lot better," she said. "It gets kind of tight now when I run but the pain from the tear is gone. I'm still proud to be on the team and to be able to make it here in two events."

Kerkula started the 4x100, which the team ran in 48.77 seconds, and handed the baton to Walker.

"The handoff was on point," Kerkula said. "I was so happy when I saw Jacquelyn Walker running. I was super happy because she's been injured for a long time and for her to come into state so strong is amazing."

The Jefferson City Lady Jays also had a medalist in the shot put, as Jessica Rhoads placed eighth with a throw of 39 feet, 9 inches. Keiara Williams of North Kansas City broke the Class 5 record of 44-10.75 with a toss of 48-4 to win the event.

Rhoads' best throw came on her second attempt.

The Lady Jays finished tied for 20th with 13 points. Nixa and Raymore-Peculiar also finished with 13 points.

Lee's Summit West easily won the team title with 109 points, beating Hazelwood Central's 62 points. Kickapoo took third with 35 points with Rock Bridge in fourth with 32.

Jessica Haney of Lee's Summit West broke her own Class 5 record of 5-7 in the high jump, clearing 5-8 on Saturday.