Marshall senior Jeff Deutsch pole vaulted as high as any entry in the NCMC meet, but finished second on a tiebreaker. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

Buford came in first in the 100-meter dash (10.9 seconds), just ahead of third-place sophomore teammate Evan Johnson (11.2), and was nipped at the wire in the 200 (23.6) by the host Hornets' Josh Butler in the 200.

Both Buford (10.6) and Johnson (10.9) lowered their personal records in the preliminary heats, times aided by a stiff southerly tailwind.

Buford and Johnson, joined by senior Kyle Farrelly and junior Marty Kays, finished third in the 400-meter relay (45.9). The 800 relay (1:36.2), with junior Phil Perkins in Farrelly's place, was fourth.

The Owls may have done better if not for the absence of junior Emmanuel Reeders, who also was a likely long jump medallist. Marshall tied for fourth in the team standings with 82 points, but was only 16 points behind runner up Moberly. Hannibal (142 points) easily won the team title.

Farrelly claimed the Owls' other gold medal in the shot put (51 feet, 0.5 inches) and was second in the discus (132-2). Senior Jeff Deutsch matched the winner of the pole vault (11-6), but was second because he needed more attempts to reach his mark than Mexico's Dylan Fuhrer.

Johnson also logged a second place in the long jump (19-9). Also medalling for Marshall were Perkins with a fifth in the 800 (2:07.0), freshman Damon Thompson by placing fourth in the 3,200 (11:06.5), freshman Alex McGowan with sixth in the high jump (5-4) and the third-place 3,200 relay (9:10.7) of Thompson, Perkins, junior Matt Bledsoe and freshman Bryson Fergison.

Seven Owls lowered personal record on both the boys' and girls' side. The latter came in sixth (42) in the team sweepstakes, won by Kirksville (178).

The only winner for the Marshall girls was all-state senior Cortni Ervin in the shot put (41-1). The University of Missouri recruit, who has come in first in all eight of her meets this season, became a four-time conference champion.

There were a few more highlights for the Lady Owls, including a second place in the 3,200 (12:54.1) by freshman Katie Wells and a tie for third in the pole vault (7-6) by senior Rachel Willis and sophomore Kim Deutsch. Freshman Kayla Whyte placed fifth in the 100 hurdles (18.7) and freshman Susan Skogsberg was sixth in the 400 (1:06.1).

The two middle relays also lowered their times. Skogsberg, Willis and sophomores Kristen McCorkle and Whitney Kelly were fourth in the 800 (1:59.4) and three of the four -- with Whyte instead of Kelly -- came in fifth in the 1,600 (4:55.9).

Marshall begins its quest to reach the state meet Saturday when it heads to Mexico for the Class 3, District 4 Championships.