Devin Roberson was in a comfortable position Saturday morning at the Class 5 state track and field champions at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City.
He was the top seed entering the discus and led from his first throw in preliminaries until just before his second throw in the finals. That's when James Bailey of William Chrisman put some pressure on Roberson, recording a toss of 173 feet, 10 inches.
Roberson was about 10 feet short of that on his second throw, but matched it on the final throw of the competition. Unfortunately for Roberson, Bailey's final throw was 170-6 was a foot and two inches better than Roberson's second best toss, giving the tiebreaker to Bailey.
"At first when I threw it, I thought I had him," Roberson said.
Not quite, but the Jefferson City sophomore still earned his first state medal at his home facility.
"I felt great. I came out a little shaky and I got my feet right and stuff like that," Roberson said. "I'm happy with it."
Roberson reached 162-9 right off the bat and didn't record another distance until his first throw of the finals, which was 169-4 to extend his lead.
His final attempt of 173-10 is nine feet, six inches short of his personal best.
"I was hoping to do that but stuff happens and it didn't really work out," Roberson said.
Roberson has had plenty support this season and all week leading up to the meet. He and fellow thrower Corey Suttle, who took 12th in the shot put Friday, practice together and are friends away from track and field.
"It's really helped. Me and him compete in practice all the time at certain marks and stuff like that," Roberson said. "We pump each other up."
And it helps to have a former all-state champion thrower as a sister. Alexis Roberson is a freshman at Southern Illinois.
"Tremendously," Roberson said when asked how much Alexis has helped him. "She's throwing at college right now and she's giving me tips she's learned from her college coaches."
Prior to the meet, Jays coach Melvin Myers said Roberson is hoping to get his photo next to his sisters in the hallway next to the coaches' offices. Roberson said he doesn't think he's earned that yet.
"But I can earn it next year," he said.
To make it on the wall, he'll need to step to the No. 1 spot on the podium.
"I'm hoping to win it all," Roberson said. "Just get a better throw and become a better person."
With two years ahead of him, Roberson is targeting the school record that is more than 200 feet.
"I think I can (get there)," he said "I've worked towards it a little bit, I've lifted a little bit. Just technique work and I think I can do it."
III
Jackson Schwartz ended his Jefferson City track career under the lights Saturday at Adkins Stadium. The senior added his second medal of the day, and third of the meet, with a fourth-place finish in the 3,200-meter run. He achieved a personal record time of 9:22.95.
"It's my last one and I'm just overjoyed to finish it like this," Schwartz said. "Would I have liked to get second? Yeah. But I'm happy with a close fourth."
Schwartz stayed in fourth for most of the race, making a move to second just before the final lap began. He went back to third with about 300 meters left and was passed once again in the final 100 meters.
Austin Hindman of Lafayette won the 3,200 in an all-class record time of 8:54.92.
"I'm sitting there in that box trying to stay relaxed and I'm still running really hard," Schwartz said. "I PR'd by only a second, but it was a fast pace and I just see him trotting up there putting up sub-nine and I'm like, 'Man, that put's it into perspective for you."
Hindman won all four events he was in: 3,200, 1,600, 800 and 4x800.
"You have to appreciate greatness," Schwartz said. "You can't help but be amazed by his absolute talent."
Schwartz began the day in the 4x800-meter relay with Brendan Bena, Thomas Nield and Ben Krause.
Bena worked his way to the lead during the opening leg and was second after his two laps, but the Jays were fifth after the second leg and sixth after the third.
The baton dropped to the track during the first exchange and the Jays finished seventh in 8:00.05.
"We would have liked to win but to have that kind of adversity and come back to get seventh, and I PR'd my (leg) too. Three medals at state, I couldn't have imagined this a month ago."
Schwartz ends his high school career with five state medals.
"I really appreciate everybody that supported me to come this far and I'm just so happy," he said.
His next stop is the University of Tulsa.
"I'm hoping to go and make an impact my first two years," Schwartz said.
Jefferson City finished eighth in the team standings with 23 points. Blue Springs won the Class 5 boys team title with 70 points, edging Lafayette's 66. Lee's Summit North finished third with 57 points with C.B.C. fourth with 39 points.