JEFFERSON CITY — Earning All-State honors in cross country last fall, Dutchgirl senior Mekayla Gibson looked to add a state medal in track and field from the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 3 State Track and Field Championships Saturday in Jefferson City.

Qualifying for state in three events, Gibson’s meet began Saturday morning with the 3200-meter run.

Going with the lead pack at the midway point of the race, Gibson crossed the finish line breaking her own school record from last week with a fifth-place time of 11:41.20.

“Mekayla had a really good two-mile,” OHS head track coach Matt Candrl said. “Not only did she PR and reset the school record, she also made all-state.”

Finishing right behind her was Hermann Lady Bearcat freshman Amelia Uthlaut in a sixth-place time of 11:41.32.

“I’m super proud of Amelia,” Gibson said. “She’s been killing it all year.”

Gibson’s next chance at a state medal came at high noon in the Class 3 Girls 4x800-meter relay.

Leading off the race, she kept Owensville in the top eight before handing the baton off to Alexis Kohrmann.

Able to fight to stay in medal contention, Kohrmann passed the baton on to Kyah Weirich.

Staying in the hunt for a spot on the medal stand, Weirich made the final exchange to Ella Gehlert.

Caught by a handful of other teams, Owensville settled for a 14th-place time of 10:49.03 which was still about three seconds faster than their sectional time.

Gibson’s last shot at a state medal came in the Class 3 Girls 1600-meter run.

Unable to keep up with the lead pack, Gibson settled for a 10th-place time of 5:36.80 beating her sectional time from a week ago by just over two seconds.

“Although Mekayla only medaled in one event, she had an outstanding senior season qualifying for state track in three events,” Candrl said. “I see her going on to bigger and better things at William Woods University this fall.”