COLUMBIA - Paden Lewis came close in one event. He left no doubt in the other.
The North Callaway senior punctuated his high school career by decisively capturing a state title in the boys' shot put in the Class 3 state track and field championships Saturday at the University of Missouri's Walton Stadium.
Lewis snared the state championship in the shot with a throw of 52 feet, 8 3/4 inches. Trinity Catholic junior David Reid was a distant second at 49-4.
Lewis almost pulled off a pair of state titles after taking second in the discus at 153-6. Lutheran (St. Charles) senior Arcullous (Anthony) Heard edged Lewis for the state championship with a distance of 153-8.
Meanwhile, North Callaway sophomore Kaleigh Moore medalled by coming in sixth in the girls' 3,200 meters in 12 minutes, 12.72 seconds. Christian sophomore Mercedes Schroer prevailed for the state title in 12:02.00.
In the Class 4 state championships at Washington High School, Fulton sophomore Kayanna Gaines finished 12th in the girls' 3,200 in 5:30.34. Ladue senior Lila Bensky won the state title in 5:11.69.
Fulton senior Brock Fisher placed 13th in the boys' 3,200 in 4:40.20. Festus senior Maxwell McDaniel collected the state championship with a time of 4:21.20.
The large-school state track and field championships were forced to move to three different sites after Jefferson City - the regular host - sustained tornado damage last Wednesday night. The Class 5 state championships took place Saturday at Battle High School in Columbia.