Published: May 11, 2008 12:41 am         

Quinlan Boles, Wolfe City crown state champions

Saturday's Leonard, Caddo Mills, Wolfe City, Boles results from UIL State Track Meet

AUSTIN — Though the state meet was delayed on Saturday evening because of a severe thunderstorm, lightning struck twice earlier in the day in the form of Boles hurdler Joe Gilliard and Wolfe City sprinter James King.

Gilliard and King won state titles on back-to-back races in the Class A division to highlight a big day for Greenville area track and field athletes at the University Interscholastic League Track and Field Championships at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Gilliard captured the 300-meter hurdles after the first finisher, Cody Schneider of Thorndale, was disqualified for an unspecified infraction. Schneider clocked a time of 39.15 seconds, while Gilliard ran a 39.96.

"It wasn't my best race," said Gilliard. "At regionals I ran a 39.7. (Here) I ran a 39.9."

Gilliard said he was hoping to win that race so next year he could concentrate instead on the 400-meter dash. He got that wish when he was moved up to first place following the disqualification.

Gilliard, a junior running back who's topped the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each of the past two seasons, is already looking forward to the fall football season.

"That's what I'm waiting on, football," he said. "That's what track's for, getting ready for football."

King, who is also a talented football player, won the very next race in the Class A boys division, the 200-meter dash in a photo finish. King and Gerrick Phillips of Aspermont both recorded identical times of 21.95 seconds but King was judged the winner.

King, running in lane six, left the field behind with a strong first half of the race and then held on for Wolfe City's first state track and field individual title in nearly 30 years.

"I just felt good," King said of his blazing start. "That's what we practice on every day."

King knew it was going to be a close finish.

"I heard footsteps," he said.

Wolfe City coach Gary Roundtree said he's very proud of King.

"It's the ultimate goal, to be a state champion," he said.

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Jaquisha Bush of Leonard wasn't too happy with her third-place finish in the Class 2A shot put. Bush threw the shot 39 feet 9 1/4 inches to finish behind Samantha Taylor of Corrigan-Camden (41-3 3/4) and Deangela Herron of Refugio (40-1 1/4).

When told she won a medal Bush said, "But it's not good enough."

Bush's best throw was on her fourth attempt. Three of her six throws didn't count as two launded just outside the boundary and she scratched on her final attempt, crossing the board and falling down while trying her best to win.

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Desmond Brigham from Caddo Mills finished fourth in the Class 2A high jump though jumping on an injured left knee. Brigham, who hasn't been able to practice because of the injury, cleared 6-4 to finish behind Jordan Coffman of Jim Ned (6-8), Jacoby Ross of Newton (6-8) and Xavier Smith of Hempstead (6-6).

It was Brigham's third straight appearance in the state high jump. He finished second as a sophomore, clearing 6-6, and placed third last year at 6-5.

"What can you say, three years in a row," said Caddo Mills coach Jeff Norris. "It's just amazing that he made it back."

Brigham, who has signed to play football at the University of North Texas, said he's scheduled for knee surgery on May 16. Brigham's knee hurt on each jump on Saturday but he wasn't going to let the pain stop him from competing.

"That's just the heart and the love that I have for this sport, to compete," he said. "I'm going to do high jump over at North Texas. I'm still going to do football and high jump."

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Wolfe City sophomore Kealey Gaffney finished seventh in the Class A 100-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 16.64 seconds, matching her time from regional. Morgan Elkins of Bosqueville won the event at 14.74, only .02 ahead of Amber Elkins of Gordon.