Rare state feat lifted Lewer to first title

As far as attention goes, Nathan Lewer may have flown under radar at the recent Class 2 state track and field championship.

But then again, it's possible he soared over radar.

Lewer, who just finished his junior year at Kelly High School, cleared a personal-best 6 feet, 8 inches in winning a state title in the high jump two weekends ago.

The past weekend helped put Lewer's achievement into perspective. When the large-school finals were held, only Mark Moore of Hickman Mills, competing in Class 4, was able to match Lewer's jump. And Moore was a senior.

"When you think of it, 6-8 is the size of a door," marveled Kelly coach Marty Powers.

It's also 7 inches over the head of Lewer, who stands 6-foot-1.

"I knew he could do it," Powers said. "It was a matter of getting it right in his head. He's the kind of kid who needs to have some competition and some people around. He doesn't practice well, but he performs well in the meet."

Lewer jumped 6-7 at the district meet in his sophomore year on his way to a second-place state finish. He cleared 6-2 in the state meet under poor weather conditions.

This year, that 6-7 jump was like a distant memory. His best in practice was 6-6 and his best in competition was 6-4, the height he cleared to win his second straight Class 2, District 1 title to earn a return trip to state competition.

"I was getting a little aggravated with myself," Lewer said. "Then I finally got over it."

At Jefferson City, he left the field in his wake by knocking out his competitors at 6-4. He then raised the bar on his personal best and cleared 6-8.

He attempted 6-9 -- an inch short of the Class 2 state meet record -- and nearly cleared it on his final attempt.

"I almost had it," Lewer said. "My leg caught ahold of the bar on the way down."

Lewer credited nice weather and a larger running area at the state meet with his ability to go higher.

"I think he has potential to get 7 feet in high school," Powers said. "But it would have to be a perfect day."

Seven feet in high school?

Sounds like it would be the perfect day.

Jackson's West jumps at Southeast scholarship

Jackson's three-time all-stater Heather West still has her track career pointed in the right direction.

West, who excelled in the triple jump and long jump at Jackson High School, has signed a letter of intent with Southeast Missouri State University.

West recently placed second in the triple jump at the Class 4 state meet, losing a tie-breaker with state champion Leandra McGrader of Jefferson City. As a junior, she placed fourth in the triple jump and eighth in the long jump. She also ran on the Indians' 400 relay teams at the state meet both years.

"I can't wait to jump at the collegiate level," said West, who will compete for Southeast coach Joey Haines. "I'm going to try to do some sprints, too. I'll have to work my way into that. They're pretty good right now."

West is a four-time SEMO Conference champion in both the long and triple jumps and a two-time district champion in both events.

She traveled a career-best 38-7 in the triple jump in a meet this season and has gone 17-10 in the long jump.

Southeast's women won the Ohio Valley Conference outdoor title this year and placed second indoors. Haines said the Otahkians' only subpar event was the triple jump, and he expects West to immediately become one of the OVC's best in that department.

"We're real excited to have Heather," Haines said. "She should step right in and be very good for us, and she's going to get a whole lot better."

Berkbigler signs to play at East Central Junior College

Sara Berkbigler of Notre Dame Regional High School has signed a letter of intent to play softball at East Central Junior College in Union, Mo.

Berkbigler, a center fielder, was a four-year starter for Notre Dame. She batted .338 and drove in 22 runs in gaining all-district and all-region honors her senior season. She was a four-year letterman in soccer.