Brown’s reputation is safe. He won the javelin Friday morning at the Kansas Relays with a heave of 198 feet, 9 inches with the wind in his face outside Memorial Stadium.

“I had the top throw coming in, so I was pretty confident,” Brown said. “I was a little worried about not improving.”

Brown, who’s been throwing the javelin for three years, actually tied Wichita Heights senior Garrett Labus but was awarded the gold medal based on his second-best throw. His 192-9 toss on his first attempt in the finals broke the tie.

Brown, a Class 4A state runner-up in the javelin last May, has won all four of his meets this season. His season-best is 207-4.

Baldwin teammate Hugh Murphy placed ninth in the javelin.

After competing in the javelin, Brown watched his sister, Emily, participate in the high jump. Emily, a freshman, tied for sixth place at 5-1.

“In basketball I was kind of behind her so I have to get ahead of her in track,” Eric quipped.

Marysville’s Wecker excels

Marysville’s Kendra Wecker won the javelin in a Relays record 166 feet, 7 inches 32 feet better than the runner-up. She surpassed the old record of 156-4, set by DeSoto’s Carrie Buckley in 1992.

Wecker, who is headed to Kansas State to compete in basketball and track, had four throws more than 160 feet. She threw farther than the collegiate competitors.

“It’s nice to be ahead this year, especially since it’s only my third meet,” Wecker said. “I want 180 by the end of the year.”

She threw a personal-best 174-4 in a meet earlier this year in Mexico.

McLouth’s Edmonds places third

McLouth sophomore Courtney Edmonds placed third in the 800, finishing in 2:19.59 2.31 seconds behind the winner. Ottawa junior Lindsey Dieterich placed sixth in the event at 2:21.87.

Mill Valley jumpers shine

Mill Valley jumpers Mindy DeGroot and Dominique Burgin both received medals. DeGroot placed second in the girls high jump with a 5-5 mark, two inches behind winner Danielle McNaney of Gardner-Edgerton. Burgin placed third in the boys long jump in 22-1/4.