Two of the all-time Missouri prep track and field performers were named 2012-2013 Missouri Gatorade Track and Field Athletes of the Year this week. John Burroughs School senior Ezekiel Elliot from Alton, Ill. was named the boys winner while Eureka High School sophomore Hannah Long was named the girls winner. The pair had stellar seasons and capped them off with undefeated state meets and helped their teams to state trophies.

Elliott, a star hurdler and sprinter went four for four at the Missouri Class 3 State Track and Field Championships last month capturing the 110 hurdles title in 13.87 quickly followed by the 100 meter dash title in 11.03. After awards and a little recovering time Elliott captured the 300 hurdles crown in 39.01 and capped the meet off with the 200 meter dash title in 22.25. Elliot ran eight individual races in the tw0-day meet in Jefferson City, finishing first in all but one of his preliminary and finals races. Elliot totaled 40 team points to lead the John Burroughs Bombers to a 55.5 point total and second place team finish, just 2.5 behind winner Grandview.

Elliott’s 13.87 time in the 110 Hurdles moves him to 4th on the All-time Missouri State Meet performance list, while his 13.97 preliminary finish is the 8th best ever mark. Elliott’s 37.61 300 hurdles time from 2012 is tied for 17th on the all-time list.

Elliott is an all-around athlete, he also starred in football and basketball for the bombers. Elliott can’t take all the credit from his accomplishments as he’s gotten excellent coaching and support from his parents, both who competed at the University of Missouri. His father played football while his mother was a heptathlete on the track team. Elliott set the MSHSAA Show-Me Bowl Football State Championship record for rushing yards last fall helping to cement his status as one of the most talented running backs in the country. Elliott  is off to Ohio State University on a football scholarship.

Hannah Long burst onto the Missouri running scene with some great performances as a middle schooler and as a Eureka High School freshman earned four MSHSAA silver medals. Long was a Class 4 runner-up in Cross Country, and at the State Track meet in the 4×800, 800, and 1600.  In 2012-2013 though, Long didn’t settle for any Silver medals. After winning the 2012 Class 4 State Cross Country crown, Long finished 10th at the Foot Locker National High School Cross Country Championships in San Diego to earn 2nd Team All-American Honors.

This spring, Long continued to shine. She had a dramatic dual with Ste. Genevieve freshman Taylor Werner on April 2nd as the pair ran two of the fastest 3200 meter times ever for Missouri girls. Werner’s 10:25 and Long’s 10:27 put them in the top 10 nationally on the 3200 meter performance list early in the season.

After great races meet after meet, Long returned to the Class 4 State Track and Field Championships and went undefeated, earning three gold medals. Long led the Lady Wildcats to the 4×800 title in 9:12, the third fastest ever at the Missouri State Meet. Long then captured the 1600 title in 4:49.53 and jumping over former Eureka star Meredith Snow to move to 5th on the All-Time State Meet performance list.

Long finished off the meet in dominating fashion, capturing the 800 state crown in 2:11.06 to win by a second and a half and move to 11th on the State Meet performance list.  Long was a part of 30 points for Eureka helping them to a 42 team point total and the Class 4 4th place team trophy. Less than a week later Long ran even faster, running a 4:48 full mile at the Festival of Miles.

Here is KSDK TV’s story on Long’s honor: http://www.ksdk.com/sports/article/384867/6/Eureka-student-receives-Athlete-of-the-Year-award-from-Gatorade

Full Press Releases:

Click to access 2012-13_GT_HLong.pdf

Click to access 2012-13_BT_EElliott.pdf