05/09/2008

GRANITE CITY — There was no question East St. Louis was going to win the Southwestern Conference boys track meet Thursday. Only the margin of victory was in doubt.

As it turned out, the Flyers (148) ran by Belleville East (125 1/2) to claim the overall championship even though one event remains. The pole vault will be completed at 4 p.m. today at Collinsville, but the Flyers have enough points for the championship regardless of today's outcome.

Rounding out the top five through 17 events were Belleville West (105), O'Fallon (99 1/2) and Granite City (79). Edwardsville (57) was sixth, followed by Collinsville (32) and Alton (1).

Individually, five Flyers won titles. Jon Edwards took home top honors in the discus (149 feet, 8 inches), Ryan Miller claimed the 110 high hurdles (14.3 seconds), Javaughn Tabbs won the 400 (49.38), Kraig Appleton was the 300 low hurdles winner (37.4) and Evan Johnson captured the 200 (21.6). East St. Louis also won the 800 and 1,600 relays.

"Once you mind-frame you're the best, you can't be beat," said Appleton after easily winning his hurdles final. "Having it in your mind beats the stronger and fastest guy. Sometimes it takes the mind and heart to win the event."

In his race, Appleton cleared the first hurdle and left everyone behind including Miller (38.9), who was a distant second.

"Our coaches instill in us to get out of the blocks and be the first one to the hurdle," Appleton said. "That's where the race is won. It takes hard work, and with the coaches we have, they tell us whatever we need to do to win."

Appleton said winning the conference was "a stepping stone to build more character. We take these meets very seriously, and we train hard for them to come out on top."

East St. Louis coach Roscoe Whitfield said, "I was very pleased with their performances tonight. You've got to believe you can achieve."

Belleville West's Jon Cripe was a double winner in the 800 (1:57) and 1,600 (4:31).

Belleville East received titles from long jumper Roger Jones (21'11") and high jumper Daryl Rice (6'4").

Travis Manning of Belleville West (43'9") was the triple jump champion, and Anthony Garlisi of O'Fallon (51'9") won the shot put.

Granite City received first-place performances from Aaron Werths in the 3,200 (9:39) and Diante Estall in the 100 (10.56).

Edwardsville won the 3,200 relay (8:10).

kroberts@post-dispatch.com | 618-257-0745