Howard junior LaQuisha Jackson proved she's more than simply a sprinter Monday, finishing second in the Class A/AA state pentathlon at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

Jackson, who will attempt to break her own state records in the 100- and 200-meter dashes and also will run in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays Thursday, finished just 36 points behind defending state pentathlon champion Carney Kanellar of Nashville's East Literature Magnet School.

Jackson finished second in the 800-meter portion of the event, third in the shot put and fourth in the 100-meter hurdles and high jump. She finished seventh in the long jump.

"I just don't have my technique down in the long jump. That was my toughest event by far," Jackson said. "It's a pretty draining day, especially having to finish with the 800. I just laid back in that event and tried to finish strong.

"I improved on everything from last year, so I'm proud of what I was able to do."

Jackson's eight points will go toward Howard's team standings later in the week. The Lady Hustlin' Tigers finished just one-half point out of second place in last year's team standings.

"Obviously every point matters at the state meet," Howard coach Jennifer Mitchell said. "So those are big points for us. And I'm very proud of the fact that LaQuisha improved on every event from last year. She was strong all day in a tough competition."

Baylor's Sally Warm finished third in the Division II pentathlon, and her teammate Selena Popp was sixth, giving the Lady Red Raiders nine points for the overall team standings.

Halfway through the boys' decathlon, Ooltewah's Randall Freeman is in fourth place, winning the discus, while Bradley Central's James Stovall is in 11th. The decathlon finishes today.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293.