Published: May 10, 2008 12:40 am         

Experience should help area athletes at state meet

AUSTIN — Returning experience should help four of the five state qualifiers from the Greenville area who'll be competing today at the University Interscholastic League State Track and Field Championships.

Caddo Mills high jumper Desmond Brigham, who jumps at 10 a.m., is making his third straight appearance in the Class 2A high jump. Brigham cleared 6 feet 6 inches to place second as a sophomore and went 6-5 last year to finish third.

He cleared 6-4 at the Region II-2A meet to finish first and qualify again for state.

He's been competing on an injured left knee that will probably require surgery. The injury has been preventing Brigham from practicing.

"The meets are my practices," said Brigham, who watched the action at Friday's meet.

Brigham ranks in a tie for sixth of the eight state qualifiers. Calvin Smith of Jefferson leads at 6-8.

Leonard's Jaquisha Bush, who throws at 1 p.m. in the Class 2A shot put, finished third at state in 2006 with a throw of 39-3 1/4. She sat out last season after becoming injured in an automobile accident.

Bush won the Region II-2A title with a throw of 40-1 1/2. Her sister, Lydia Bush, holds the 2A state record at 46-8 1/4 set in 2002.

Bush ranks second of the state qualifiers behind Deangela Herron of Refugio (41-10 1/2).

Joe Gilliard from Boles is back to compete again in the Class A 300-meter hurdles at 2:15 p.m. Gilliard was fifth last year with a 41.12 but ran a personal-best 39.73 to win the Region III-A title in Nacogdoches.

Gilliard ranks third of the eight qualifiers behind Cody Schneider of Thorndale (39.15) and Stephen Pace of Rule (39.60).

James King of Wolfe City already has one state event under his belt heading into the Class A 200-meter dash at 2:35 p.m. King was fourth in the long jump on Friday, leaping a personal-best 22-3.

King ranks second among the 200-meter qualifiers behind the Region III-A champion, Levi Hardcastle of Blum (22.44). The defending state champion, Adrian Anderson of Hull-Daisetta, ran a 22.58 at regional.

Kealy Gaffney of Wolfe City makes her first appearance at state at 12:45 p.m. today in the Class A hurdles. Gaffney ranks seventh among the qualifiers with a 16.64, but ran a 16.13 while winning the area title. Amber Elkins of Gordon leads the state qualifiers with a 15.24.