(I covered high school sports for 16 full years for the West County Journals until the paper's sports sections continually grew smaller as print journalism gradually faded. That's when I went from part-time to full-time work at Western Union. That said, here is an article I did and a subsequent thank you card I received from Priory's Esan Simon, one of the best athletes and one of the brightest and kindest people I spoke with during those years. The story was published on June 3, 1990.)
Simply put, Esan Simon experienced a 'poetry in motion' sort of weekend in the Missouri state capital.
While heading to Jefferson City by van, the Priory senior was busily creating what turned out to be a five-page, typewritten, rhyming poem highlighting his six-year attendance at that west county school.
Simon wrote the poem in response to being named co-winner (along with Rebels track teammate Dan Plas) of the Bakewell Prize for being the outstanding overall Priory student.
The poem was Simon's contribution to the May 28th graduation ceremony, but Simon also waxed poetic after his arrival in Jefferson City. Simon capped off his high school athletic career at Lincoln University's Dwight T. Reed Stadium to the tune of double-gold--first place finishes in both the 110-meter high hurdles and the 300 intermediate hurdles at the Missouri Class 3A State Track and Field Championships.
"It's pretty nice--real nice," said Simon, who also enjoyed outstanding high school football and wrestling careers. "I was happy about that; especially it being the last thing I'll ever do for Priory at an athletic event."
Simon indeed saved his best for last, setting personal records in both events--a 38.78 in the 300 and a Class 3A state record of 14.18 seconds in the 110 race.
"I had absolutely no idea I had run that time, and it wasn't something I had set out to break," Simon said. "But it was the first clean race I ran all year. Every other race, I had clipped some hurdles and banged up my knees."
That 110 victory was actually a repeat performance for Simon, who last year topped a pair of senior favorites, Berkeley's Alonzo Parish and Clayton's Lance McPherson.
Simon nearly doubled last year as well, but while running neck-and-neck with Parish in the 300, he banged his right knee against the first hurdle. Simon lay on the track, writhing in pain, awaiting service in the sports medicine tent.
Despite being the favorite to double at this year's state meet, Simon was hardly overconfident at the outset.
"I didn't even think of last year's state," Simon said. "You try and get it out of your mind. Just because you're hte state champion one year doesn't mean you'll do it the next."
Simon knew all too well that he would have a tough fight on his hands; especially after he and Clayton's Mance Thompson finished in a virtual dead heat in the 110 hurdles at sectionals. Simon also had Charleston senior Brad Moore to contend with in both races.
Was he worried about them?
"You can't really focus on your competitors because it's an internal thing," Simon said. "You just try and perform to your peak. The night before, I was really concentrating on it. I was also trying to pray for this and a lot of people were praying for me."
Simon was merely running even with Thompson in the 300 until the Clayton junior was thrown a bit offstride, being forced to switch lead legs in the process. That dropped Thompson to a fourth place finish.
Simon added that he will drape this year's gold medals over a few tall basketball trophies resting on his dresser. According to Priory hurdles' coach Rick Suarez, Simon has worked hard for everything he's received.
"Obviously, he did a super job!" Suarez said. "He went out and did what he had to do. He's tickled and I am, too. The fact that he continues to work extremely hard after all his success, is what really stands out. A lot of kids with all his talent, wouldn't work as hard as he does.
"He's one of the best kids I've ever had the pleasure to work with--and not because he's a great athlete. He's so modest and amazed at what others do instead of talking about himself."
