JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Melissa McGinley didn’t need much time to regain her state-winning status.
Just a leap of 16 feet, 9 1/4 inches.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — De’Andre Vandevender wrapped up his state titles early in the high jump and the long jump on the first day of the Class 2 Track and Field Championships.
From there, the Trenton senior took aim at the record books.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Lindsay Vollmer’s first race at the Class 2 Track and Field Championships produced a state meet record. The Hamilton freshman could only enjoy it momentarily.
Vollmer finished in 14.71 seconds during the first preliminary heat for the 100-meter hurdles Friday afternoon at Dwight T. Reed Stadium, topping Precious Selmon’s 2006 time of 15.04.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — When Albany’s Claire Youngclaus put the baton in Melissa McGinley’s hand, the Warriors were in first place.
Youngclaus knew what that meant for their 4x400-meter relay in last Saturday’s Class 1 sectional.

Luke Talbot accepted an appointment to the Naval Academy and made his decision official Wednesday afternoon at Benton High School.
Although he hopes to continue his career as a walk-on tennis player, the Benton senior’s decision to leave St. Joseph for Annapolis, Md., goes way beyond
athletics.

Of all the hugs shared Wednesday night at Alumni Stadium, none contained more feeling than the embrace between Kim and Ken Girard.
Bishop LeBlond’s injured senior shared a tearful hug moments after the Golden Eagles’ 4-0 victory against Benton was official. Kim Girard only tred on the field during pre-game introductions, thanks to a season-ending ACL tear last week.
No amount of pain in her knee kept her from enjoying the result of the Class 1 District 16 title game.

The score remained the same. Benton just removed the dramatics during its rematch with Bishop LeBlond.
The Cardinals won Tuesday’s Class 1 regional 5-4 at Noyes Tennis Complex, just as they did during the regular season. But Benton wrapped up the win after just six matches, only to watch LeBlond win the last three after the outcome was decided.
After going 2-1 in doubles matches, junior Ryan Miller clinched Benton’s third singles victory and the dual with a 6-0, 6-3 win against Seth VanVickle at No. 6.

After providing Benton with a glimmer of hope, Travis Smither didn’t miss a chance to help his own cause.

ALBANY, Mo. — Rock Port’s girls continued their state qualification parade at Saturday’s Class 1 sectional.
The Blue Jays became a little more comfortable with second-, third- and fourth-place finishes at E.C. Smith Field, but it doesn’t change their overall goal. With 10 individual state qualifiers and three relays, Rock Port looks a good bet to bring home a first state trophy since 2005.
And a large amount of point-earning finishes next week could mean a fifth state championship for the Blue Jays.

Terri Carver just can’t stay away, when her body allows.
At last week’s Class 1 District 8 meet, she found a golf cart and headed out on the links to find her son, Garrett. Terri followed every shot for the final nine holes and watched as Garrett won his first district championship.
That same day, Terri found herself back in Kansas City at the University of Kansas Medical Center, an expected bout in her battle with cancer.