Andy Youngworth has taken over the reins of the McAuley Catholic track and field program.
After spending nearly three decades in charge of the track team at Carthage High School, Youngworth hopes to build a successful program at McAuley.
Entering the 2022 season, McAuley returns a handful of varsity performers to go along with several promising newcomers.
The McAuley girls return two athletes who have previous varsity experience — senior Ava Gould (sprints, jumps) and sophomore Kendall Ramsey (distance).
Ramsey was a sectional qualifier in the 3,200-meter run last spring and advanced to the state cross country meet this past fall.
Newcomers expected to contribute at the varsity level this spring are senior thrower Avery Eminger and sophomores Kaitlyn Bates (throws) and Kloee Williamson (sprints, jumps).
“Our goals are to be competitive in the Ozark 7 Conference and in our district,” Youngworth said. “Last year, one girl competed in track and field and this year we have five. That’s a good improvement, but the lack of numbers makes it difficult to compete as a team. As a result, we are focusing on getting kids better in their individual events, giving each of them the best chance to qualify for the sectional and hopefully the state meet.”
Despite the low numbers, Youngworth noted the girls out for track have been working hard and have shown a willingness to try new events.
“We have good athleticism and I truly feel they all have a chance to attain their goals this year,” Youngworth added. “Three of the five girls are in field events and we should be strong in the throws and jumps.”
The main areas of concern entering the season are lack of numbers and a lack of meet experience.
“We also share athletes with soccer and softball and it will be difficult to get in specific technique work,” Youngworth said. “But the girls have been great about trying to put in extra work on weekends.”
McAuley’s returning varsity performers on the boys team are senior Jacob Bracich (sprints, jumps), junior distance runners Phillip Motazedi and Drew Zeb and sophomores Ethan Staab (sprints, relays) and Dylan Taffner (sprints, relays).
Bracich was a sectional qualifier last year in the long jump, while Motazedi advanced to the state cross country meet this past fall.
Newcomers expected to contribute this spring are juniors Jack Jones (jumps, sprints) and Joe Staton (pole vault, sprints), sophomore Jake Higginbotham (sprints, jumps) and freshmen distance runners Michael Parrigon, Armando Alberto and Grant Horinek.
Parrigon was a state qualifier during the cross country season.
“Our goals are to compete in the conference and the district,” Youngworth said. “We have 11 kids who are athletic, and it will be important to get them in the right events so they have the best chance to advance in the state series. We have spent a lot of time on the basics and technique and I believe that will pay off in the end.”
Youngworth, who also coaches the cross country team, was asked to assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses.
“We should be able to be competitive in the relays and open sprint and distance events, but we lack depth in the throws and hurdles,” he said. “Again, we share athletes with other sports…baseball and golf. Like the girls, the boys have been willing to come in after practice and on weekends to get in extra technique work.”
Youngworth expects the program’s numbers to increase in the years to come.
“We have had a tremendous turnout for middle school track and field, which is a great sign for the future,” he said.
Youngworth is assisted by Georgia Antillon, Payton Roberts and Darbi Stancell.
“We have put together a great staff,” Youngworth commented.
Stancell was a longtime track and cross country coach at McDonald County, while Antillon ran at East Newton and Roberts was an All-American thrower at Missouri Southern.
WARRIORS COMPETE AT CATHOLIC
The McAuley Catholic track and field team began the 2022 season at Friday’s Springfield Catholic Invitational.
“We had a good showing despite missing several kids due to spring break and other conflicts,” Youngworth said.
For McAuley’s boys, Bracich placed second in the long jump (5.33 meters) and also finished fourth in the 200-meter run (24.81 seconds).
Parrigon was third in the 800 (2:20) and fourth in the 1600 (5:07). The Warriors were fifth in the 4×100 relay.
For the McAuley girls, Eminger placed third in the discus and fourth in the shot put.
The Warriors will compete at Diamond on Tuesday.
