UPDATE: The Missouri High School Athletic Association has made a significant, and quick, change to its state championship schedule following the severe tornado that ravaged Jefferson City late Wednesday night.
The state association has decided to move all three classes to three different venues, with the championships to be hosted on Saturday simultaneously. The Class 3 Meet will be held at the University of Missouri in Columbia, while the Class 4 meet will be hosted at Washington High School and the Class 5 meet at Battle High School.
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A quick-moving tornado moving southwest at 40 mph hit Jefferson City, Missouri, late Wednesday night, shooting debris 13,000 feet into the air, injuring at least 20 and ravaging buildings across the state's capital, NPR reported on Thursday, and the Missouri State High School Athletic Association as a result has temporarily suspended the Class 3-4-5 State Track and Field Championships set for this weekend in the city.
The National Weather service classified the severe storm as a "violent tornado" and damage to the city surrounded "a 3-mile area," according to the AP. Three deaths were reported in Golden City, roughly 150 miles southwest.
The state's track and field championship venue, held at Adkins Stadium at Jefferson City High School, was impacted directly, as fast winds ripped off the press box's roof and threw debris across the track.
The Washington Post reported that the storm was a "wedge" tornado, which features a funnel "wider than its height."
"Many, many buildings have significant damage, and there's a lot of buildings that have small damage as well. It's very widespread," Jefferson City Mayor Carrie said in a quote to CNN.
MileSplit will update the status of the championships as more information comes to us.