A minor outburst roared through the jumping pit area moments before the 400-meter relay began at Saturday’s Class 3 sectional meet. As he awaited his turn in the triple jump, Deon Bradshaw was being beckoned by teammates to hurry, so he could join them in the relay. But the Wright City senior focused in, landing a jump that prompted another type of ruckus. This time, it came from the Wildcat coaching staff, who cheered in unison after hearing the distance Bradshaw had leaped. He had cleared a jump of 46 feet, 10 inches, breaking a school record that had stood since 1983. “Honestly, I don’t know how I jumped that far,” quipped Bradshaw. “Because they were rushing me to get to the race. So, I was kind of trying to hurry up and jump. When I jumped, I thought it was a normal jump. I didn’t realize it was a 46.” Bradshaw went on to win the event, also finishing first in the long jump to advance to the MSHSAA Championships in both events. It would be the only triumph of the day for Wright City, who failed to qualify in its four other competing events. “If you walked away feeling good about how you did, that’s all that counts,” said coach Sue Wright. “Would I have liked to have taken a few more? Absolutely.” Bradshaw will be making his second consecutive trip to state in the jumping events this Friday and Saturday in Jefferson City. “It’s very exciting considering I broke the school record for triple jump,” said Bradshaw. “He’s got so much talent,” added Wright. “Of course, his heighth a lot of difference. His success is his takeoff. He executes the last step into the pit very well” Bradshaw claimed the sectional title in the long jump by clearing 21 feet, six inches in the finals. “I think also running the relays really loosened him up,” said Wright. “He’s gotten extremely consistent with his run and hits mark all the time.” Bradshaw says he has improved his technique since falling short of a medal at state last season. “This year my second phase is a little bit farther than last year, and my last phase is a lot better and is probably my strongest point,” said Bradshaw. Immediately after his milestone triple jump, Bradshaw scurried over to compete on the 400 relay team. He joined seniors Trent Davis, Delante Blanks and sophomore Rico Blanks, as the team ran a 44.8. While it was their best time of the season, it was still only good enough for seventh place. “I know the kids were happy to get their best times, and they were glad they weren’t in the dreaded fifth place.”The same crew also finished seventh in the 800-meter relay, logging a 1:34. Wright City was represented in two events during the girls competition. Senior Rebecca Brown wasn’t able to make up enough ground to claim the final spot in the mile run, finishing sixth with a time of 5:32. “She worked really hard this season, and that’s what gave her confidence,” said Wright. “To be off for almost two years, it’s tough coming back. I was really pleased with her performance.”Junior Brianna Zumwalt took part in the 400-meter race, placing seventh with a 1:03. “She’s got another year, and she actually only started running the 400 about a month ago,” said Wright.