Devin Roberson wanted to become a more all-around thrower for the Jefferson City Jays.
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UCA Homecoming
The festivities included a parade and tailgating before the game at First Security Stadium October 11.
He didn't just want to be known as a great discus thrower, so he put in more work in the shot put.
That proved to be time well spent as Roberson's first throw Saturday went 56 feet, 8.5 inches to finish third in the Class 5 state track and field championships at Adkins Stadium.
"Just the weight room and maybe more time being put into practice because last year I was just really focused on discus," Roberson said.
After the preliminaries, Roberson was second to Daniel Parker of Blue Springs.
William Chrisman's Daniel Carson found a little extra in the finals, tossing the shot 58-6.5 for the win.
The good news for Roberson is Carson and Parker are seniors.
"I'm going to work even harder next year," Roberson said. "This year took me by surprise. I didn't think I could do what I've done this year."
And his final result may have been different if it wasn't for an adjustment he made late in the season. He tried out spinning, which he's become accustomed to in the discus.
"Three or four weeks ago," Roberson said of when he made the change. "It was just a throw in practice and I threw pretty far. I threw it again and it just kept going further and further until I really got it down. It was not hard. It took me probably about two days and then I was fully into the swing of spinning."
He said he's looking to break the Class 5 record by throwing 62 feet next season.
"I'm going to aim high," Roberson said.
The six points Roberson earned in the shot put put the Jays at 24 for the meet, good for a tie for 10th place. Roberson accounted for 16 of the points. Mason York scored six in the pole vault and Corey Suttle got two in the discus Friday.
Lee's Summit North was able to edge Rock Bridge for the team title with 60 points. The Bruins finished with 58.5 points. Blue Springs and Kirkwood tied for third with 44 points.
A pair of Lady Jays throwers medaled Saturday.
Jessica Rhoads capped off her high school career with a sixth-place finish in the discus.
Her final throw of 128 feet moved her from eighth to sixth, placing her ahead of teammate Carlee Brehe, who tossed a 127-0 on her first finals attempt.
"She definitely keeps my head on my shoulders a lot," Brehe, a junior, said of Rhoads. "Even though sometimes I'm the more relaxed one and she's kind of nervous, that's just because she's more serious than I am. I kind of goof around a lot."
Brehe said that was the case Saturday until her first throw went too far to the left.
"I was a little nervous when I scratched my first one because usually when I scratch my first one I scratch all of them. I was hoping that wouldn't happen."
It didn't. A throw of 121-9 put her eighth after the preliminaries.
"I had to keep my feet on the ground because that was messing me up," Brehe said. "I just focused on that when I threw it."
Rhoads was sixth after prelims thanks to a 125-10 on her first toss.
The winning mark also came in the first round of throws. Makayla Kelby, who was seeded second, hurled it 166-8 for an all-class record.
"Oh gosh, 166, that's super far," Brehe said. "She's going to go far with that."
III
Class 5
BOYS
Team scores: 1. Lee's Summit North, 60; 2. Rock Bridge, 58.5; 3. (tie) Blue Springs and Kirkwood, 44; 5. Pattonville, 43; 6. Hazelwood West, 30; 7. Ruskin, 29.5; 8. Lafayette, 26; 9. Lee's Summit West, 25; 10. (tie) William Chrisman and Jefferson City, 24; 12. Hickman, 23; 13. Battle, 22; 14. Poplar Bluff, 19.5; 15. Lee's Summit, 19; 16. Liberty North, 18; 17. (tie) Park Hill South and Branson, 16; 19. Hazelwood East, 13; 20. (tie) St. Louis University High, Rockhurst and Jackson, 12; 23. Staley, 11; 24. (tie) Liberty and North Kansas City, 10; 26. Joplin, 9; 27. (tie) C.B.C. St. Joseph Central, Kickapoo and Mehlville, 8; 31. (tie) Raytown, Raymore-Peculiar and Oak Park, 6; 34. (tie) Eureka, Republic, Nixa and Hazelwood Central, 5; 38. (tie) McCluer North, Fort Zumwalt West, Waynesville, Seckman and Chaminade, 4; 43. Sedalia Smith-Cotton, 3.5; 44. (tie) Park Hill and Fox, 3; 46. (tie) Parkway South, Timberland, Blue Springs South and Northwest, 2; 50. (tie) Lindbergh and Lebanon, 1.
110-meter hurdles: 1. Vonzell Kelley, Lee's Summit West, 14.19; 2. Cortney Watkins, Hickman, 14.20; 3. Martez Manuel, Rock Bridge, 14.35; 4. Isaiah Bynum, Mehlville, 14.74; 5. Keshon Campbell, Chaminade, 14.81; 6. Xavier Hall, Blue Springs, 14.83; 7. Johnny Brackins, Lee's Summit, 14.95; 8. Navon Currie, Blue Springs South, 15.07.
100-meter dash: 1. Nathaniel Peat, Rock Bridge, 10.75; 2. Keyon Mozee, Lee's Summit North, 10.78; 3. Justin Robinson, Hazelwood West, 10.78; 4. Shakespeare Williams, Ruskin, 10.80; 5. Destin Owen, Republic, 10.83; 6. Larue Martin, Battle, 10.90; 7. Micah Manning, Lee's Summit, 10.95; 8. Nyles Thomas, Lee's Summit North, 10.95.
4x200-meter relay: 1. Rock Bridge, 1:26.40; 2. Pattonville, 1:28.05; 3. Ruskin, 1:28.23; 4. Lee's Summit North, 1:28.25; 5. Rockhurst, 1:28.81; 6. Eureka, 1:28.98; 7. Hazelwood East, 1:29.09; 8. Blue Springs, 1:30.42.
1,600-meter run: 1. Nassim Oufattole, Lafayette, 4:20.02; 2. Boston Small, St Joseph Central, 4:22.09; 3. Ean Buffington, Jackson, 4:24.19; 4. Christian Baker, Kirkwood, 4:24.37; 5. Wesley Porter, Rockhurst, 4:24.47; 6. Zachary Reed, Seckman, 4:25.06; 7. Robert Gibson, Pattonville, 4:25.60; 8. Oaklee Hauschild, Blue Springs, 4:25.89.
4x100-meter relay: 1. Rock Bridge, 41.38; 2. Ruskin, 41.82; 3. Lee's Summit North, 41.87; 4. Hazelwood Central, 42.46; 5. Liberty, 42.52; 6. Battle, 42.65; 7. Raytown, 42.76; 8. Rockhurst, DQ.
400-meter dash: 1. Justin Robinson, Hazelwood West, 46.93; 2. Chris DuPree, Park Hill South, 47.19; 3. Austin Maiden, C.B.C.; 49.71; 4. Matthew Hughey, Lee's Summit North, 50.07; 5. Aaron Brown, Jackson, 50.12; 6. Isaiah Vigliano, Lee's Summit North, 50.27; 7. Joseph Magee, Battle, 50.34; 8. Micah Nelson, Rockhurst, 50.46.
300-meter hurdles: 1. Cortney Watkins, Hickman, 36.97; 2. Martez Manuel, Rock Bridge, 37.51; 3. Vonzell Kelley, Lee's Summit West, 38.04; 4. Jaden Williams, Hazelwood East, 38.94; 5. Xavier Hall, Blue Springs, 39.08; 6. Aaron Holmes, Hazelwood West, 39.47; 7. Robert Berger, Parkway South, 39.87; 8. Colby Velaer, Blue Springs, 41.01.
800-meter run: 1. Martin Strong, Kirkwood, 1:53.69; 2. Jack Warner, Staley, 1:55.59; 3. Lazarus Williams, St. Louis University High, 1:55.60; 4. Christian Blake, Nixa, 1:55.88; 5. Micah Bruggeman, Joplin, 1:57.04; 6. Abdelrahim Mahgoub, Oak Park, 1:57.26; 7. Gabe McClain, Blue Springs, 1:57.53; 8. Nathan Reed, Lafayette, 1:57.72.
200-meter dash: 1. Justin Robinson, Hazelwood West, 21.62; 2. Wyatt Murphy, Poplar Bluff, 21.95; 3. Robert Rawie, Liberty, 22.0; 4. Micah Manning, Lee's Summit, 22.02; 5. Dontae Manning, Raytown, 22.16; 6. Larue Martin, Battle, 22.21; 7. Austin Maiden, C.B.C., 22.34; 8. Destin Owen, Republic, 22.47.
4x400-meter relay: 1. Rock Bridge, 3:18.20; 2. Blue Springs, 3:19.47; 3. Hazelwood East, 3:22.01; 4. Lee's Summit North, 3:22.15; 5. McCluer North, 3:23.14; 6. Park Hill South, 3:24.76; 7. Eureka, 3:25.65; 8. Hazelwood West, 3:26.08.
High jump: 1. Devon Richardson, Lee's Summit North, 6-9; 2. Devin Helms, Liberty North, 6-8; 3. Cooper Wise, Kirkwood, 6-8; 4. (tie) Aaron Jones, Ruskin, and Quinton Brown, Rock Bridge, 6-7; 6. Brittann Pierce, Branson, 6-6; 7. Tanner Campbell, Northwest, 6-6; 8. Maurice Ivory, Oak Park, 6-5.
Long jump: 1. Tre' Wheaton, Blue Springs, 23-2.25; 2. Marvin Hopkins, Lee's Summit North, 22-11.25; 3. Da'jon Weston, Battle, 22-7.50; 4. Vonzell Kelley, Lee's Summit West, 22-3; 5. Christian Carter, Lee's Summit North, 22-2; 6. Rashawn Pruitt, Mehlville, 21-11.25; 7. Devin Helms, Liberty North, 21-9.75; 8. Zach Westmoreland, Joplin, 21-9.75.
Shot put: 1. Daniel Carson, William Chrisman, 58-6.50; 2. Daniel Parker, Blue Springs, 57-2.50; 3. Devin Roberson, Jefferson City, 56-8.50; 4. Adetomiwa Adebawor, North Kansas City, 56-2; 5. Jordan Williams, Fort Zumwalt West, 54-2; 6. Dakari Streeter, Pattonville, 53-0; 7. Bradley Papez, Timberland, 52-10.50; 8. John Berry, Lebanon, 51-7.75.
GIRLS
Team scores: 1. Lee's Summit West 86; 2. Pattonville 47; 3. Blue Springs South and Liberty 37; 5. Park Hill 25; 6. Ritenour 33; 7. Battle 31.5; 7. Hazelwood Central 31; 9. Sedalia Smith-Cotton, McCluer North and Kickapoo 28; 12. (tie) Blue Springs and Nerinx Hall, 24; 14. Park Hill South 22; 15. St. Teresa's Academy 21.5; 16. (tie) Raymore-Peculiar and Rock Bridge 21; 18. Lindbergh 18; 19. North Kansas City 13; 20. Ozark 12; 21. Marquette 11; 22. (tie) Springfield Central and Jackson 10; 24. (tie) Jefferson City and William Chrisman 9; 26. (tie) Fort Zumwalt West, Liberty North, Republic, Northwest and Francis Howell Central 8; 31. (tie) Hickman and Lebanon 7; 33. (tie) Fort Osage and Francis Howell 5; 35. (tie) Hazelwood West, Timberland and Hazelwood East 4; 38. (tie) St. Joseph's Academy and Nixa 3; 40. Lee's Summit, Lafayette, Oakville, Kirkwood and Raytown 2; 45. Holt 1.
4x800-meter relay: 1. Lee's Summit West, 9:13.37; 2. Blue Springs South, 9:14.52; 3. Blue Springs, 9:25.87; 4. Raymore-Peculiar, 9:27.59; 5. Park Hill South, 9:37.91; 6. Ozark, 9:38.99; 7. Francis Howell, 9:39.15; 8. Lindbergh, 9:40.22.
100-meter hurdles: 1. Michelle Owens, McCluer North, 13.86; 2. Aisha Southern, Hazelwood Central, 14.08; 3. Paige Magee, Battle, 14.67; 4. Sarah Coy, Blue Springs, 14.77; 5. Jaden Wiley, Kickapoo, 14.77; 6. Allison Brumley, Nixa, 15.18; 7. Kiya Conners, Oakville, 15.37; 8. Kalescia Thomas, Francis Howell, 15.40.
100-meter dash: 1. Jada Moore, Pattonville, 11.93; 2. Courtney Williams, Nerinx Hall, 12.09; 3. Serena Williams, Battle, 12.16; 4. Lauryn Taylor, McCluer North, 12.17; 5. Monique Grant, Sedalia Smith-Cotton, 12.18; 6. Aisha Southern, Hazelwood Central, 12.21; 7. Alexandria Rosenbe, Lindbergh, 12.33; 8. Teresa Thomas, Park Hill, 12.62.
4x200-meter relay: 1. Hazelwood Central, 1:39.80; 2. Park Hill, 1:40.74; 3. Lee's Summit West, 1:41.89; 4. Ritenour, 1:42.86; 5. Hazelwood West, 1:42.97; 6. Raymore-Peculiar, 1:43.72; 7. Hazelwood East, 1:43.76; 8. Kickapoo, 1:44.62.
4x100-meter relay: 1. McCluer North, 47.90; 2. Lindbergh, 48.47; 3. Ritenour, 48.57; 4. St. Teresa's Academy, 48.97; 5. Liberty, 49.02; 6. Raymore-Peculiar, 49.19; 7. Hazelwood East, 49.25; 8. Lee's Summit West, DQ.
400-meter dash: 1. Courtney Williams, Nerinx Hall, 55.43; 2. Kaitlyn Lewis, Liberty, 55.50; 3. Taiya Shelby, Park Hill, 55.64; 4. Emari Grimes, Fort Osage, 56.49; 5. Jada Moore, Pattonville, 56.97; 6. Danielle Frank, Hazelwood Central, 57.08; 7. Shelby Butts, Raytown, 57.40; 8. Demisha Anglin, Pattonville, 57.41.
300-meter hurdles: 1. Tyra Wilson, Rock Bridgem 42.71; 2. Paige Magee, Battle, 43.96; 3. Kennedi Watkins, Marquette, 44.16; 4. Jaden Wiley, Kickapoo, 44.22; 5. Jenna Glendenning, Lebanon, 44.81; 6. Grace Calhoun, Lebanon, 45.59; 7. Brianna Heath, Hickman, 45.61; 8. Akirah Venerable, Blue Springs South, 46.02.
200-meter dash: 1. Monique Grant, Sedalia Smith-Cotton, 24.20; 2. Jada Moore, Pattonville, 24.23; 3. Courtney Williams, Nerinx Hall, 24.57; 4. Danielle Frank, Hazelwood Central, 24.70; 5. Alexandria Rosenbe, Lindbergh, 25.0; 6. Christine Williams, Timberland, 25.20; 7. Marissa Gianino, Lafayette, 25.54; 8. Serena Williams, Battle, 26.01.
3,200-meter run: 1. Victoria Findley, Blue Springs South, 10:47.03; 2. Danielle Hotalling, Blue Springs South, 11:06.26; 3. Madison Hulsey, Lee's Summit West, 11:06.85; 4. Elaina Hubner, Blue Springs, 11:11.96; 5. Marti Heit, Park Hill South, 11:15.88; 6. Miranda Dick, Raymore-Peculiar, 11:17.55; 7. Abigail Juedemann, Lindbergh, 11:22.31; 8. Emily Griesenauer, Holt, 11:22.36.
4x400-meter relay: 1. Park Hill, 3:50.11; 2. Pattonville, 3:58.54; 3. Liberty, 3:58.82; 4. Ozark, 3:59.90; 5. Rock Bridge, 4:01.81; 6. Lee's Summit West, 4:02.98; 7. Hazelwood Central, 4:08.28; 8. St. Teresa's Academy, 4:15.32.
Pole vault: 1. Elaina Roeder, Springfield Central, 12-7; 2. Mora Boatman, Fort Zumwalt West, 11-3; 3. Morgan Banker, Rock Bridge, 11-3; 4. (tie) Katherine Schumer, Jackson, and Erin Buff, Jackson, 11-0; 6. Olivia Lyon, Ozark, 11-0; 7. Natalie Sheehy, Blue Springs, 10-9; 8. Emily Litton, Rock Bridge 10-6.
Triple jump: 1. Diamond Riley, Ritenour, 40-10; 2. Tayte Kozlowski, Kickapoo, 38-3.75; 3. Serena Williams, Battle, 38-0.50; 4. Monique Grant, Sedalia Smith-Cotton, 37-11.50; 5. Carynton Marshall, Battle, 37-8; 6. Jessica Haney, Lee's Summit West, 37-1; 7. Tamia Emerson, Liberty North, 36-11.25; 8. Camryn Holloman, William Chrisman, 36-8.
Discus: 1. Makayla Kelby, Lee's Summit West, 166-8; 2. Abigail Green, Francis Howell Central, 147-6; 3. Diamond Richardson, Pattonville, 130-8; 4. Jacqueline David, William Chrisman, 129-5; 5. Karly Parcell, Hickman, 128-1; 6. Jessica Rhoads, Jefferson City, 128-0; 7. Carlee Brehe, Jefferson City, 127-0; 8. Reagen Kanagawa, Blue Springs, 123-0.
Javelin: 1. Derrick Boyce III, Pattonville, 180-1; 2. Braden Presser, Liberty North, 177-10; 3. Dakari Streeter, Pattonville, 175-2; 4. Ryan Still, Branson, 174-10; 5. Isaiah Davis, Joplin, 174-1; 6. Kolby Heinerikson, Park Hill, 167-7; 7. Gavin Hausmann, Oak Park, 165-3; 8. Damon Frost, Blue Springs South, 163-10.