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The difference between gold and silver was one-quarter of one inch.

In the long jump, that could basically be difference of how hard you land in the sand, how you land in the sand and even how you get up out of the sand.

There were several anxious moments for many Park Hill High track and field athletes at the Class 4 Sectional 4 meet Saturday, May 23, at Blue Springs South High.

Sprinter Kelsey Dietrich had to wait for a video ruling to find out she finished fourth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.63 seconds.

Shot putters Nick Smith and Jordan Cox also sweated out final throws from competitors to learn they had qualified for the Class 4 State Track and Field Championships on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, in Jefferson City. Smith’s throw of 51 feet, 6 1/2 inches was seven inches better than North Kansas City’s Jon Bailey.

As a freshman heading into her first Class 4 District 8 meet a year ago Park Hill High’s Helena Hudson did not have much go right for her.

A year later Hudson put that experience to good use.

After placing in the top four in three of her four events Saturday, May 16, at Park Hill High, Hudson will participate in the Class 4 Sectional 4 meet at Blue Springs South High on Saturday, May 23.

It was definitely a good thing for Park Hill High No. 2 singles player Mike Merchant that the top two players in each district advance to state.

Merchant sealed his ticket with a 3-hour, 45-minute marathon match against North Kansas City’s Travis Stewart in the Class 2 District 8 semifinals Thursday, May 14.

With the Class 4 District 8 meet at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Park Hill High, everything is on the line.

The Trojans are hoping for another district title and hopefully as much success at the Class 2 District 8 tournament that concludes today at their home courts. Barth would like to advance to the state tournament once again as an individual.

With a score of 82, Park Hill High golfer Ethan Calvert became the third-ever Trojan to advance to the state tournament for the third time. No Park Hill golfer has ever advanced four times.

With the Class 4 District 8 tournament taking place at The Deuce at The National Golf Club of Kansas City, Calvert found everything tough going Tuesday, May 5.

"It played tough today for some reason," Calvert said. "I have been playing so good in the last few weeks, and I just came out here today and was spraying it everywhere. I couldn't hit a green. I think I hit two greens today. It was horrible."

For the second consecutive year Park Hill High’s boys tennis team was able to walk away with the Suburban North Division Tennis Tournament title. Also, for the second straight year Sam Barth walked away with the “A” singles bracket championship.

He dispatched his competition with relative ease, winning 10-3 in the quarterfinals, 10-3 in the semifinals and 10-5 in the finals against Truman’s Josh Smith.

It may not be loaded with top finishers in every event, but the Park Hill High boys track team has consistently found a way to bring home team plaques from track meets this season. It has all been a result of tremendous depth and athletes filling out places from first to eighth in each event.

Trojans coach Mark Gourley is hoping things keep that way at the Suburban Big Six Conference track meet Wednesday, May 6, and Friday, May 8, at Park Hill High.

Things were quite different for the Park Hill High boys tennis team a year ago.

Coach Ryan Kalis had no problem setting his lineup and letting everyone know what was in store for them. This year, Kalis, his assistant coaches and players are still tinkering like mad scientists trying to figure out the right formula for success.