RESULTS I PHOTOS I VIDEOS I WATCH ALL RACES
In 2016, then Alton senior LaJarvia Brown was among the state's elite in four events: 100H, 300H, LJ, TJ- arguably a national elite status athlete who collectively could be a great multis athlete. Brown indicated at the tail end of her high school career, that she wanted to compete in a heptathlon.
The opportunity presented itself at the Great Southwest in high altitude Albuquerque, New Mexico. Brown entered a tough 15+ girl field.
Brown and Okorie started out the competition by going 1-2 in the hurdles. Coincidentally, the nine-point difference between the two in the hurdles was exactly equal to the final margin of victory. From that point forward, the two simply battled to a draw.
Brown took advantage over Ariel Okorie of Waynesville, MO, in the shot put, high jump, and 200--all on day one. Okorie came back on day two and steadily ate into Brown's lead with advantages in the long jump, javelin, and 800, but in the end, it was just short of enough to take the win.
To put a measuring stick on these performances, Ashley's win in the decathlon is roughly 200 points better than anyone else has posted all season. Rizek's 4993 tops the charts for the nation in the little-contested girls decathlon. And, LaJarvia Brown's 4975 is more than 300 points better than any previous hep performance in the season to date.