Staten brings home all-state medal

Smith-Cotton senior Sharaden Staten won his second all-state medal Saturday in the Class 4 state track and field championships in Jefferson City.

He placed eighth in the 110-meter hurdles in 14.82 seconds. The top eight in each event won all-state medals.

“He ran a little faster than (Friday),” S-C coach Brad Hagedorn said. “He looked good for the first four or five hurdles.”

His time in the finals was  0.02 better than his preliminary time.

“That’s the best I’ve run this whole season,” Staten said. “15.5 was the best I’ve been up to the last couple of weeks.”

Solomon Williams, of Waynesville, won in 13.93.

Staten, who won a medal as a sophomore in the high jump, just missed winning another one Saturday.

He jumped 6 feet, 2 inches to finish seventh in 2007.

Staten placed ninth in the high jump Saturday with an effort of 6-4.

“I was hoping to jump 6-6,” Staten said. “I almost had it on the third attempt, but the back of my legs knocked it off when I was kicking.”

James White, of Grandview, won with 7-2, only 1 inch off the state record set by Bill Jasinski in 1982.

Staten plans to continue his track career next season at William Jewell University in Liberty. He also plans to play football at the NAIA school.

Smith-Cotton tied for 42nd overall with three points. Blake Price earned two points Friday by placing seventh in the discus throw.

Hazelwood East won the team championship, beating second-place Lee’s Summit West 68-64.