Webster, Mahoney Happy to Earn State Qualifications

Turning in peak performances toward the end of the season is essential to any track and field athlete who wants to make the trip to the state tournament. 

And Fort Zumwalt East’s Drew Webster peaked at just the right time. Webster, a senior, placed third in the Sectional 4, Class 4 Tournament in Troy, on May 21 in the 1,600-meter to qualify for state with a time of 4:26—a personal record. He’ll compete in the state tournament for the first time in Jefferson City this weekend.  

“It was about pacing,” Webster said on his race at sectionals. “I knew I had some people to chase down. I just stuck to them and they took me to the finish.”

Webster placed third in the District 3, Class 4 District Tournament at Francis Howell Central High School on May 14 with a time of 4:33. The top four placers in each event in each district tournament qualify for sectionals and the top four placers in each event in each sectional tournament qualify for state.  The senior said conditions at the district tournament were cold while conditions at sectionals were hot.

“It’s all mental there,” he said. “You have to adjust and be ready for anything because you never know what the weather is going to do.”

Webster placed 14th on Friday at the State meet with a time of 4:25.31. He will continue his track and field career next year at Missouri Southern State University, a Division II school in Joplin. He gives credit to his high school program for laying the foundations for a college career.

“East’s program has been very good for me,” he said. “My coaches always wanted me to be the best I could be. They train you well and they focus on you.”

Junior Michael Mahoney qualified for state in the 110-meter high hurdles for Zumwalt East. He placed fourth in both the sectional and district tournaments. Like Mahoney, Webster has never qualified for state.

“Last year I got sixth in sectionals, I was pretty close,” Mahoney said. “This year, I wanted to make sure I got there.”   

When it comes to postseason success, pacing has also been key for Mahoney.

“I just see what they other guys around me are doing and I pace myself off of them,” he said.

The junior said that his timing on jumping through the hurdles comes naturally. So, speed has been his focal point.

“It’s more about getting in and out of the hurdles for me,” he said.

Mahoney said a solid work ethic will be important for him in the practices leading up to the state tournament.

Zumwalt East Boys track coach Don Morris said both Mahoney and Webster define themselves by their competitive drive.

“These guys are two fierce competitors,” he said. “When they step on the track, the really compete, that’s what I like about both of them.”