It came down to drama in the final Class 6A girls race in the State Track Meet.

Junction City needed to finish fifth or higher in the girls 4 x 400 relay race to win the Class 6A girls title outright. They finished fourth to score five team points, leaving them with a team total of 68 points, just ahead of Olathe Northwest who finished with 66 points.

JCHS Coach Randall Zimmerman said the relay team members included Tiara Smith, Alana Kramer, and Kieana Newman in the third leg. “Nashaia Nixon anchored it in a sub-59. Really came through, great run.”

Zimmerman said the state title means everything to the athletes on the track team. “It’ all about the kids. They’ve worked so hard, done a really good job, very, very proud of them.”

Junction City captured three gold medals in the meeting including two by Kieana Newman, who won the 100 Hurdles in 14.84 and the 300 Hurdles in 44.26. The 4 x 100 Relay team of Shamya Banks, Kieana Newman, Lyric Holman and Amaya Booker finished captured the gold medal in 48.38.

Zimmerman noted during the final race the JCHS athletes were cheering them on. “Our kids were all excited. They all were cheering them on, and they know it wasn’t just those four. It was a combination of a good season of work and a great weekend down here.”

The last Class 6A state championship for a Junction City Lady Jay track occurred in 1993.

The Blue Jay boys finished 27th in the Class 6A team scoring with eight points.