Landon Wachter, Jackson girls track

The most valuable athlete in the girls division of the Jackson Invitational was just a sophomore.

But Jackson's Landon Wachter already has one state medal on her resume and may be on her way to a few more.

Wachter set a meet record Saturday on her way to winning the 800-meter run, finishing in 2 minutes, 21.14 seconds.

She also won the 100-meter hurdles in 15.7 seconds.

Wachter also was a member of the runner-up 800- and 1,600-meter relay teams, helping the Indians place second as a team behind Festus and helping her earn meet MVP honors.

"It feels really good," Wachter said. "I kind of had in my head that I wanted to get [MVP], and so to get it I was real happy and pleased."

Wachter, the daughter of Jackson track and wrestling coach Steve Wachter, has been competing in track since the age of 5 and last year placed sixth in the 400 meters at the Class 4 state meet.

"I want to get better than sixth at state, and hopefully place at state in a couple more than just one," she said.

She is off to a good start.