By MATT GOLDBERG
Herald-Whig Sports Writer
HANNIBAL, Mo. -- Kayci Yelliott arrived at the Becky Thatcher Relays in shorts.
After a 45-minute weather delay and an approximate 20-degree dip in the temperature, the Pittsfield senior put on any piece of clothing she had -- including a red PHS earband -- to keep warm.
On the track, Yelliott ran the 100-meter dash as if the conditions were perfect, winning the race in 12.79 seconds -- .19 seconds off her career-best time.
"It's pretty good for this type of condition," Yelliott said.
Yelliott has been keeping her competition on its toes -- by running on her toes -- this season. She edged Quincy High School's Ashley Howard (13.16).
"I changed that and that makes a definite difference," Yelliott said. "Just the last few meets, actually because it definitely helps a lot. At the beginning of the season I was running low 13s. And then the last few meets I've been running in 12s. So it's definitely helped -- (using) my toes. It's not something that you would think be a big deal but it definitely is in that short of a race."
Kirksville was right on first-place Fort Zumwalt South's toes but FZS won the meet 84-81. Hannibal (75.5) finished third.
Lady Pirates senior Jessica McCullough won the pole vault by clearing the 9-foot mark. The cold and windy weather meant McCullough had to use a smaller pole and had to start at a lower height.
"You just get on a smaller pole, choke down and just try to do your best," she said.
McCullough's initial height was at seven feet instead of the usual eight. She cleared the next few heights -- in six-inch increments -- before failing to clear 9-6, which is her season-best height.
McCullough made it to sectionals last season and got hurt. So she has high hopes of getting back up to her personal-best height of 10-6 and making her state debut this season.
"I'm looking forward to the warmer track meets," McCullough said. "... I really want to get back up to 10 feet and 10-6 so it would be a big deal if I jump that."
Quincy High School finished seventh in the 15-team field. Kala Griffin won the 1,600 run, while Stevee Nolan won the 800 for the Blue Devils' only victories.
-- mgoldberg@whig.com / 221-3367
