Freshman sprinter Alexis Bates, meanwhile, took nearly all the drama out of her races by sweeping the 100- and 200-meter dashes.
"For a freshman, you can't ask for any more than that," Central girls coach Charles Taylor said.
Bates opened her day by reeling off a first place, hand-timed 100 at 11.55, which was bumped to an 11.86 with the meet's electronic timing software.
She later made up for any disappointment by capturing another decisive victory in the 200 and securing a little revenge against Blue Springs' Ariane Jordan, who beat Bates during last week's district meet.
Despite a slower-than-usual start, Bates' powerful gait and rhythmic side-to-side head motion helped her charge across the finish line half a second faster than Jordan.
"I thought she had me there for a minute," Bates said. "But it feels great just to get to go down to state."
Based on her seed times, Bates should have a prime lane position during next week's state competition in Jefferson City.
"Technically, we still have a lot of work to do, but ... what she runs with is pure power," Taylor said. "She could get so much better, and I really believe that her best competition is Alexis Bates."
"For a freshman, you can't ask for any more than that," Central girls coach Charles Taylor said.
Bates opened her day by reeling off a first place, hand-timed 100 at 11.55, which was bumped to an 11.86 with the meet's electronic timing software.
She later made up for any disappointment by capturing another decisive victory in the 200 and securing a little revenge against Blue Springs' Ariane Jordan, who beat Bates during last week's district meet.
Despite a slower-than-usual start, Bates' powerful gait and rhythmic side-to-side head motion helped her charge across the finish line half a second faster than Jordan.
"I thought she had me there for a minute," Bates said. "But it feels great just to get to go down to state."
Based on her seed times, Bates should have a prime lane position during next week's state competition in Jefferson City.
"Technically, we still have a lot of work to do, but ... what she runs with is pure power," Taylor said. "She could get so much better, and I really believe that her best competition is Alexis Bates."
