Anthony Woods Leads St. Xavier Boys To Team Title

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

State high school track and field action once again invaded Lexington’s University of Kentucky campus June 10-12 a year after the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to prep sports last spring. 

CLASS 3A

Led by standout jumper Anthony Woods, the St. Xavier boys scored 79 points to hold off Male (Louisville) to repeat as the Class 3A Kentucky High School State Track and Field champs on Saturday afternoon. Male finished in second place with 76 points. 

Woods, currently ranked US#6 in the triple jumper, had a busy but productive day, as he won the triple with a jump of  48-3.50, claimed the long jump title (23-11.25), finished third in the 100 (10.92) and was part of the winning 4x100 relay (42.22). 

Paul Laurence Dunbar’s Mario Paul set an overall state record in the 300 hurdles, clocking 36.74, a US#7 time. Paul finished second in the 110 hurdles (14.41)

Madison Central’s Wyatt Stewart set the overall set record in the pole vault, clearing 16-1 to best the existing record of 16-feet, set in 2003 by St. Xavier’s Chip Heuser. 

Dupont Manual’s Malachi Lawrence won the shot put with a state-leading mark of and US#25 throw of 61-6. 

In girls action, Dupont Manual tallied 58 points to win the 3A title, as West Jessamine was a close second with 53 points. Dupont Manual finished the meet with a victory in the 4x400 (4:02.05). 

Marshall County’s Sophie Galloway reset her own overall state triple jump record with a mark of 41-7.75, which is US#3. She added to her outstanding day with a 3A state-record time of 14.10 in the 100 hurdles, breaking North Hardin’s Kianna Gray 2014 record of 14.29, and also claimed the long jump crown (18-10.75). 

Lafayette’s Sarah Ferguson won the pole vault with a clearance of 13-0. 

CLASS 2A

Garrard County senior Emma Lawrence did not disappoint in her final state meet Friday. She won the triple jump (40-2.50) and long jump (19-0), both 2A class records. Lawrence is currently ranked 16th in the U.S. for triple jump (40-3.25) ad tied for 21st in the long jump (19-8.50).

Christian Academy-Louisville denied Mercer County a repeat of the 2A girls title, edging them 80-74 for the trophy. 

Addi Dewey led the way for Christian Academy-Louisville, winning the 3,200 (11:26.93) and finishing second in the 1,600 (5:11.62).

It was a close finish in the boys race as Mercer County finished with 78.50 points, as Highland captured a close second with 75 points. 

Lane Hoyes of Thomas Nelson claimed the 3,200 (9:28.27) and 1,600 (4:23.56). 

CLASS 1A

Led by a strong distance showing, the Holy Cross (Louisville) boys were able to hold off Bishop Brossart for the Class 1A title on Thursday. Holy Cross scored 55 points to repeat as champions from 2019, as Bishop Borssart scored 53 for runner-up honors.  

Holy Cross went 1-2 in the 3,200 with DK Schnieders placing first (9:43.68) and teammate Josh Meiman was second (9:44.64). In the 1,600, Meinman was third (4:31.13), while Schnieders was fourth (4:33.06). The two also teamed up Jackson Gawarecki and Triston Keywith to win the 4x800 relay (8:15.28). 

Jake Davidson of Lloyd Memorial won the pole vault in a 1A Class record of 15-06.

In girls 1A action, Bishop Brossart easily claimed the team trophy with 87 points, with 37 of those coming in the distance events. The team claimed the second and third spots in the 1,600 and 3,200 and runner-up in the 800. 

Just an eighth-grader, Alexandra Allen of Louisville Collegiate won the 200 (25.69) and 400 (58.44). She also was part of the runner-up 4x400 (4:13.43).

Morgan County’s Krista Perry won the 100 hurdles in class record time of 14.52. Perry also claimed the 300 hurdles title (46.22).

Team Champions

Class 3A – St. Xavier boys 79 points, Dupont Manual girls 58 points RESULTS

Class 2A – Mercer County boys 78.50 points, Christian Academy-Louisville girls 80 points RESULTS

Class 1A – Holy Cross (Louisville) 55 points; Bishop Brossart girls 87 points RESULTS