The 2021 KHSAA Class 3A State Championship had drama throughout, but nothing compared to the final heat of the boys 4x400m relay getting pulled from the track for a weather delay. Better yet, the team scores were within two points and both teams ranked in the top 3 in the 4x400m relay. After the rain passed and the gun went off, St. Xavier edged Male to take third place in the 4x400 and lock up the team title.
The team race for the female championship came down to the final two events with duPont Manual edging West Jessamine for the team title. A dramatic 4x400m relay where duPont Manual won combined with the scoring of the triple jump with West Jessamine's Lillian Hodge taking fifth made the final team scores 58 to 53.
Among the incredible team competition were SIX new state records:
Sophie Galloway (Marshall County) set a new Class 3A state record in the 100m hurdles with a 14.10 which bested Shandy Boyd (1992) and Kianna Gray (2014) time of 14.29.
Galloway also set the triple jump Class 3A and overall state record with her jump of 41' 7.75". This was a full foot beyond her previous record of 40' 7".
Mario Paul (Paul Dunbar) set a new Class 3A and overall state record in the 300m hurdles in 36.74 which was a full second faster than Brandon Begley's 2010 record of 37.83.
Brooklyn Hammons (Grant County) set a Class 3A and overall state record in the discus with her throw of 143' 9". This throw was better than the 142' 2" record set by Lilli Popovich in 2015.
Wyatt Stewart (Madison Central) set a Class 3A and overall state record in the pole vault when he cleared 16' 1". This was one inch better than the sixteen-foot jump by previous record holder Chip Heuser in 2003.
Kaidhyn Stockdale (Apollo) set a Class 3A and overall state record in the adapted shot put with a throw of 33' 6.25". This bested the 23' 2.5" throw by Tyler Kilburn in 2013.