JEFFERSON CITY • Mike Hester wasn't celebrating like he had hoped to when Hazelwood Central won its first state title in 23 years in 2010. That's because he got hurt earlier in the day and didn't play the role he wanted to play.
"Even though we won state, I was down the whole day," he said.
You couldn't have wiped the smile off Hester's face Saturday if you tried, however. The Hawks successfully defended their title and Hester led the way.
The senior won the 200 (21.96 seconds) and the 400 (47.70) and joined Cole Davis, Sean Wills and Marc Franks to win the 1,600-relay in 3:17.61 as Hazelwood Central took first place again in Class 4 at Lincoln University.
"It feels much better," said Hester of the second consecutive title. "I feel like I made a big contribution."
He sure did. Hester, who also led Hazelwood East to a state title in 2009 before transferring to Central, had a role in bringing in 30 of the 41 points the Hawks tallied. Liberty and Rockwood Summit tied for second with 34.
Marc Franks also stood tall for Hazelwood Central. Despite struggling with a leg injury, he finished fifth in the 100 (11.16), seventh in the 400 (49.73) and ran a key third leg on the 1,600-relay.
"When the football team won two state titles in a row, I thought, ‘why can't the track team do it, too,' " Franks said.
The Hawks also picked up some key points in the 3,200 relay, which finished a better than expected fourth. Davis, Laquinton Battle, Marcus Davis and William Mitchell ran a 7:58.16.
"It's awesome," said Central coach Rich Copenhaver of the state title. "To win one is awesome. To win back-to-back is unbelievable. After that first day we had, I didn't think we'd do it."
Rockwood Summit was powered by senior Daniel Mazar. He won the 800 (1:52.26), finished second in the 1,600 (4:12.51) and combined with Aaden Aaden, Devonte Harris and Curt Wood to win the 3,200 relay (7:50.61).
"Beating Kenny (Cushing) was definitely nice," said Mazar, who lost to the Holt standout by .01 seconds in the mile Friday.
Ladue could have won or at least tied the Hawks for first if it had beaten Hazelwood Central in the 1,600-relay. However, the Rams had a bad handoff in the race and had to settle for eighth in the race and fifth overall as a team with 30 points.
Jehu Chesson II helped get the Rams 20 points. He won the 300-hurdles in 37.44 and combined with Jarrid McDonald, Fletcher Coates and Kortland Webb to win the 800-relay in 1:28.05.
"It is what it is," said Chesson II, who was hoping for a state title. "God said no. If it's no, it's no."
Other Class 4 boys who were crowned champions Saturday included McCluer North's Deondra Canaday who won the shot put (57 feet, 11.50 inches) and Lafayette's Chris Caldwell who won the 110-hurdles (14.27).
"My mind frame at the beginning of the season was to go for it and win state and I finally did it," said Canaday, who finished ninth as a sophomore in that event and had to sit out last season for academic reasons.
Holt finished fourth overall as a team with 31 points. The Indians were led by Cushing, who won the 1,600 on Friday and collaborated with Darian Jones, Anthony Price and Chris Campbell to finish a close second to Hazelwood Central in the 1,600-relay.
