The Joplin area will feature a number of track and field standouts this spring.
Based on last year’s results, and featuring a number of returning state medalists, below is a quick look at the Joplin area’s top returning tracksters.
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES TO WATCH
ADDIE LAWRENCE, COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN
Addie Lawrence had a remarkable 2021 season on the track.
As a sophomore, Lawrence earned four gold medals at the Class 1 state track meet, leading the College Heights girls to a team championship.
Lawrence claimed individual state titles in the 100-meter dash (12.5 seconds) and the 400-meter run (57.5).
She also anchored CHC’s winning 4×100 and 4×200 relays with Jayli Johnson, Allie Fiscus and Lauren Ukena.
Lawrence is now set to begin her junior season.
JENNALEE DUNN, JOPLIN
At last spring’s Class 5 state meet, Joplin’s Jennalee Dunn finished eighth in the 1,600 in 5 minutes, 8 second while also placing 11th in the 800 in 2:22.
Now a senior, Dunn had a stellar cross country season. She placed 14th at state with a school record time of 18:36.
Dunn, who has signed with Cornell University, will look to end her prep career on a high note this spring.
ALLY MONTEZ, CARL JUNCTION
Carl Junction’s Ally Montez earned three medals at last year’s Class 4 state track meet.
As a junior, Montez was the runner-up in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 45.46 seconds and also placed fourth in the 100-hurdles in 14.87.
Montez also ran a leg of Carl Junction’s 4×100 relay team that finished second in 49.8 seconds.
Montez, now in her final prep campaign, has signed with Pittsburg State.
JAYLI JOHNSON, COLLEGE HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN
College Heights’ Jayli Johnson placed sixth in the Class 1 200-meter dash (27.21) and was part of CHC’s two gold-medal winning relays.
As a sophomore, Johnson also ran a leg of CHC’s 4×400 relay that finished third.
A junior, Johnson qualified for state during the fall cross country season.
OTHER LOCAL GIRLS TO WATCH: Webb City’s Abi Street (distance), Riley Hawkins (distance) and Ripley Shanks (pole vault); Carl Junction’s Olivia Vediz (triple jump, long jump, 4×100 relay) and Emerson Lundien (pole vault); McDonald County’s Mariana Salas (javelin) and Sosha Howard (TJ); Neosho’s Chloe Wood and Riley Kemna (XC state qualifiers); Carthage’s Joey Hettinger (high jump); Thomas Jefferson’s Alivia Beard (100, 200), Avery Hocker (TJ), Sarah Mueller (cross country state qualifier); CHC’s Lauren Ukena (300H); McAuley Catholic’s Kendall Ramsey (cross country state qualifier); Seneca’s Rylee Darnell (HJ).
BOYS TRACK & FIELD ATHLETES TO WATCH
DONOVYN FOWLER, JOPLIN
Joplin’s Donovyn Fowler had a breakout junior season last spring.
At last May’s Class 5 state track meet, Fowler was the runner-up in the triple jump (47-7.25) and he placed fourth in the long jump (22-11).
Fowler was also a state-qualifier in the 200-meter dash and with Joplin’s 4×100-meter relay team.
Fowler, one of the nation’s best who has the goals set high in his signature events as a senior, has signed with Oklahoma.
GRAYSON SMITH, WEBB CITY
As a sophomore, Webb City’s Grayson Smith was the state runner-up in the Class 4 pole vault. He cleared 14-10 at state. Smith finished the season strong, as he placed fourth at the sectional before earning silver at state.
Now a junior, Smith will look to reach new heights and take his place as the state’s best vaulter this spring.
DONOVAHN WATKINS, JOPLIN
As a junior, Joplin’s Donovahn Watkins placed fourth in the Class 5 shot put with a toss of 53-3.75.
Watkins has signed with Coffeyville Community College in Kansas to participate in both track and field and football.
HOBBS CAMPBELL, JOPLIN
Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell had a memorable sophomore season. Last May, Campbell finished sixth in the 1,600 (4:20) at the Class 5 state meet. Campbell also ran a leg of Joplin’s 4×800 relay that finished fourth in 7:55.
A junior, Campbell had a solid cross country season, as he placed 14th at the state meet.
KADEN COLE, NEOSHO
A senior who has signed with Missouri Southern, Neosho’s Kaden Cole is coming off a stellar cross country season.
Cole crossed the line sixth at the Class 5 state cross country meet this past fall with a time of 15:33.
Last spring, Cole finished 11th in the 1,600 at the state meet. He’ll look to improve upon that finish this May.
ROMAN BORBOA, WEBB CITY
At last spring’s Class 4 state track meet, Webb City’s Roman Borboa placed eighth in the 1,600 (4:29) and took 15th in the 800 (2:05).
A key performer on a state championship squad, Borboa also ran a leg of Webb City’s 4×800 relay team that placed fourth.
A senior, Borboa finished 19th at last fall’s state cross country meet (16:06).
KIP ATTEBERRY, THOMAS JEFFERSON
At last year’s Class 1 state track meet, Thomas Jefferson’s Kip Atteberry finished fourth in the 1,600 in 4:48. He also placed 10th in the 800 in 2:09.
A junior, Atteberry placed fourth at the Class 1 state cross country meet this past fall with his 5K time of 17:03.
OTHER LOCAL BOYS TO WATCH: Carthage’s Miquel Solano (800); Joplin’s Ian Horton, Zaben Barnes, Nicholas Horton, Evan Matlock (distance); Webb City’s Billy Wolfe (sprints, relays) and Dustin Brockmiller (distance); Carl Junction’s Collin Emmert (distance); College Heights’ Derrick McMillan (800), Colsen Dickens (400), CHC’s 4×800 relay (McMillan, Rolen Sanderson, Corbin Thomas, Caleb Quade) was second at state; McAuley Catholic’s Michael Parrigon (state cross country qualifier); Carthage’s Zach Lansford (javelin); McDonald County’s Josh Pacheco (triple jump) and Andrew Moritz (javelin).
