California Freshman Sydney Deeken grabs gold at State Track Championships

California High School freshman Sydney Deeken competes in the Girls Long Jump event at the Class 2 State Track and Field Championships Friday, May 20, at Dwight T. Reed Stadium, Jefferson City. Deeken earned All-State honors in three of four events, including the Long Jump, and won the state championship in the High Jump event. Photo by April Arnett.

By April Arnett

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

California High School freshman Sydney Deeken competed in four events at the MSHSAA Class 2 Track and Field Championships May 20-21 at Dwight T. Reed Stadium, Jefferson City, where she finished in the top eight in three events to earn All-State honors, but more importantly, clenched the state championship in the Girls High Jump.

"The fact that Sydney is just a freshman and she earned All-State honors in three events, won the championship in one, while also attempting a state record, which she just barely missed, is pretty impressive," California Coach Rick Edwards said. "The competition was good and she did a heck of a job. As a freshman at this meet, she handled it well. I'm very impressed with her performance."

Photo by April Arnett

California High School tracksters and coaches preparing to board the bus to head off to the 2011 MSHSAA Class 2 State Track and Field Championships at Dwight T. Reed Stadium, Jefferson City, Friday morning, front row, from left, are senior Kaleb Borghardt, freshman Seth Fairchild, and junior Walter Juarez; back row, Coach Rich Matzes, freshman Sydney Deeken, sophomore Anthony Price, and Coach Rick Edwards.

California Democrat