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Month: May 2022

STATE TRACK ROUNDUP: Joplin’s Fowler, Watkins end careers on top as Eagles take 2nd in Class 5; area athletes earn medals

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — In the final act of their respective prep careers, Joplin seniors Donovyn Fowler and Donovahn Watkins each ascended to the top spot on the awards podium at the 2022 MSHSAA Track & Field Championships.

Finishing the season on a high note, both members of the Eagles claimed individual state championships on Saturday at Adkins Stadium. With Fowler, Watkins and Hobbs Campbell leading the way, Joplin’s boys finished second in the team standings with 46 points. Rock Bridge was first with 97 points. It’s the first time Joplin has finished in the top four at state since 1978. 

Joplin’s Donovyn Fowler

Less than 24 hours after claiming gold in the triple jump, Fowler captured a second individual championship. Capping a stellar high school career, Fowler won the Class 5 long jump with a school record leap of 25 feet, 3.25 inches. 

Fowler’s mark is also a Class 5 record, as the previous best jump was 23-9.25. The Oklahoma signee saved his best for last, as his winning jump came on his sixth and final attempt. Lee’s Summit’s Joshua Manning was the runner-up with a leap of 24-5.75. 

Joplin’s Watkins won the shot put with a toss of 61-11.5. His top mark came on the third of six attempts. Lee’s Summit West’s E’lan Moore was the runner-up with a toss of 60-8.5. 

Joplin’s Donovahn Watkins

Joplin’s Campbell was the runner-up in the 1600-meter run with a school record time of 4:12. A junior, Campbell also placed fifth in the 800 in 1:56.

Campbell also earned a state medal as part of Joplin’s 4×800 relay team that took fifth on Friday. 

Carthage and Neosho also had medalists on Saturday. 

Carthage’s Micah Lindsey finished seventh in the shot put with a toss of 53 feet even and Neosho’s Kaden Cole placed eighth in the 1600 in 4:18.

On the girls side, Joplin senior Camryn Ledford concluded her prep career by competing in the para events.

 

CLASS 4 HIGHLIGHTS

Webb City’s Trey Roets placed third in the javelin with a toss of 169-9. In the same event, Mac County’s Andrew Moritz finished sixth (160-6).

Nevada’s Drew Beachler placed fifth in the long jump and Monett’s Konner Poynter took seventh in the 400. 

In Class 4 girls action, Carl Junction’s Ally Montez took second in the 100-meter hurdles in 14.82 seconds. Parkway Central’s Skyye Lee won the race in a Class 4 record time of 13.84. Montez was also the runner-up in the 300 hurdles with a time of 43.8. In a close finish, Lee won in 43.76.

Carl Junction’s Sydney Ward

Carl Junction freshman Sydney Ward finished fifth in the 200 (25.08) and was sixth in the 100-meter dash (12.32) to earn medalist honors in two events. 

Bulldogs senior Olivia Vediz took fifth in the triple jump (35-7.75). Like Montez and Ward, Vediz earned two state medals, as she was fourth in the long jump on Friday. 

Webb City’s 4×800 relay team of Alanna Bundy, Sophia Crane, Abi Street and Riley Hawkins finished eighth in 9:56 to earn all-state honors. 

Webb City senior Ripley Shanks earned a spot on the podium by finishing eighth in the pole vault (10-0). 

The Carl Junction girls finished fifth in the team standings with 32 points. 

 

CLASS 3 HIGHLIGHTS

Lamar’s Phajjia Gordon was the Class 3 state champion in the girls discus with a toss of 122-1. 

Seneca senior Katelyn Fyock finished seventh in the triple jump with a leap of 34-7.5.

Aurora’s Maisie Phillips was sixth in the 300 hurdles (48.75) and teammate Makenna Hall placed seventh in the 100 hurdles (16.18). 

Cassville’s 4×800 relay team of Marianne McCrackin, Annie Moore, Tori Mitchell and Jolie Evans placed eighth in 10:14. 

On the boys side, East Newton’s Kelton Sorrell was third in the 800, while teammate Gabe Bergen finished fourth in the 110 hurdles and Chase Sorrell was sixth in the 1600. The Patriots took seventh in the 4×400 relay. 

Lamar’s Trace Willhite placed fourth in the javelin (168-6) and Cassville’s Bradan Dickinson took third in the shot put (53-11.25).

East Newton’s boys finished third in the team standings with 37 points. Westminster Christian (45) and Lutheran-St. Charles (42) were first and second.

 

 

 

 

FULL RESULTS: MSHSAA Class 3, 4 & 5 State Championships (pttiming.com)

 

MORE PHOTOS: STATE TRACK & FIELD: DAY 2 PHOTO GALLERY – SoMo Sports (somo-sports.com)

STATE TRACK & FIELD: DAY 1 PHOTO GALLERY – SoMo Sports (somo-sports.com)

STATE TRACK & FIELD: DAY 2 PHOTO GALLERY

Posted on by Jason Peake

The final day of the 2022 Class 3-5 MSHSAA Track & Field Championships was held on Saturday at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City.

Below are photos of Joplin area athletes from SoMo Sports photographer Shawn Fowler.

 

The Joplin High School boys track and field squad finished second in the Class 5 team standings.

 

The JHS coaching staff accepts the runner-up plaque.

 

Joplin senior Donovyn Fowler was the Class 5 state champion in both the long jump and triple jump.
Donovahn Watkins won a state title in the shot put.

 

Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell

 

Hobbs Campbell earned all-state honors in both the 800 and 1600.

 

Carthage’s Micah Lindsey finished seventh in the Class 5 shot put.

 

 

Webb City’s Trey Roets earned all-state honors in the Class 4 javelin by finishing third.

 

Webb City’s Abi Street competes in the 3200 on Saturday at the Class 4 state track meet.

 

Carl Junction senior Ally Montez earned all-state honors in both hurdle races at the Class 4 state track meet.

 

Carl Junction senior Olivia Vediz earned all-state honors in both the long jump and the triple jump in Class 4.

 

Carl Junction freshman Sydney Ward is pictured.

 

Seneca senior Katelyn Fyock earned all-state honors in the triple jump.

 

East Newton’s boys were third in the Class 3 team standings.

 

Camryn Ledford competed in the para events.

 

GIRLS SOCCER: Glendale knocks off Carl Junction in the quarterfinals

Posted on by Lucas Davis

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Glendale scored a pair of unanswered first-half goals to build a lead on the way to a 4-0 win over Carl Junction in the Class 3 quarterfinal round of the state playoffs on Saturday at Bulldog Stadium. 

The Falcons (20-3) started with a goal in the 15th minute of play before scoring inside the final three minutes of the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the intermission. The second half was scoreless until the Falcons added a pair of late goals inside the last 10 minutes of play to seal the win.

Carl Junction’s Jocelyn Brown passes the ball during the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal game with Glendale on Saturday. Photos by Israel Perez.

“I thought Glendale kind of took us out of our element a little bit,” Carl Junction coach Ed Miller said. “They forced two mistakes in the first half, which I thought we could have gotten out of with 0-0 at halftime. … We just needed to connect some passes and get some momentum (in the second half) but we just could never get that momentum this game.”

Carl Junction closes the season with a 21-6 record and graduates seniors—Kadynce Arnold, Lauren Burgess, Kaylee Cronister, Tessa Miller, Tiffany Pham, Marly Stauffer and Mykah Strausburg.

“We scored over 90 goals this year and only had 15 scored against us coming into this game,” Miller said about his team’s season. “I am very proud of their effort this year. They put in a lot of work and got so much better as the season went on. I felt like we were playing our best ball. I am proud of this group and the seniors that have been playing for four years with us to help set a foundation for our younger pieces coming back. We had a lot of juniors and sophomores get a lot of playing time this year, and I think that is going to help us get better for the future.”

Carl Junction’s Lauren Burgess battles for the ball against Glendale in the Bulldogs’ quarterfinal game on Saturday. Photo by Israel Perez.

“A lot of those girls played together growing up on club teams,” Miller added about his seniors. “They were a good little nucleus that came in as freshmen with the opportunity to start right away or at least get some playing time all four years. They continued to get better every year and they made everyone around them better as well.”

Avery Givens got Glendale on the board in the 15th minute when she found the back of the net on a rebound goal for a 1-0 lead.

Charlie Wistrom put the Falcons up 2-0 after scoring from 10 yards out with 2:49 left in the first half.

“We needed to come out with some energy,” Miller said about the message at halftime. “Usually, we come out on fire and are ready to go in the second half. We just couldn’t get after it in the second half and you have to credit a lot of that to Glendale’s defense and their girls.”

Glendale’s Ayla Walden looked to push the lead to three goals for Glendale with less than eight minutes to play but a diving save from Carl Junction goalie Chrissy Figueroa kept the lead at two goals.

Emily Harrison found the back of the net shortly after to push the lead to 3-0 for the Falcons. Reilly Heman added a fourth goal for Glendale with three and a half minutes to play. 

Glendale moves on to battle Ursuline Academy in the Class 3 semifinals at 11 a.m. on June 3.

Carl Junction’s Hannah Franks fights off a defender looking to pass in the Bulldogs’ Class 3 quarterfinals game against Glendale on Saturday. Photos by Israel Perez.

STATE BASEBALL: Webb City suffers season-ending loss in quarterfinals 

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

PLATTE CITY, Mo. — Webb City trimmed a 10-run deficit all the way down to three, but the early hole was ultimately too much to overcome. 

Webb City suffered a season-ending 11-7 setback to Platte County on Saturday in a quarterfinal contest of the MSHSAA Class 5 state baseball tournament. 

The Cardinals end the season with a record of 19-16. 

Platte County (25-8) advanced to the semifinals, where they’ll meet either Parkway Central or Fort Zumwalt East at 7 p.m. on June 3 at Ozark’s US Ballpark. 

The Pirates led 10-0 after three innings before the resilient Cardinals plated seven unanswered runs. 

But the hosts added an insurance run and kept the Cardinals at bay late to secure the win. 

Platte County plated eight runs on seven hits and three walks in the bottom of the second inning.

Eli Nelson and Jakob Knudsen both walked before Dayton Doll delivered a two-out, two-run triple off the fence in right field. 

Dayne Wimberly followed with an RBI double to center before Cameron Lewis and Dylan Robertson added run-scoring singles for a 5-0 lead. 

That chased Webb City starting pitcher Cooper Crouch, with Gavin Stowell taking over.

Nickolas Baker contributed a two-run triple and Knudsen had an RBI single for an eight-run cushion before Stowell retired the side.

In the third, Devin Wassmann’s two-run home run to right field made it 10-0. 

Webb City didn’t go down quietly. 

The Cardinals pushed across a single tally in the top of the fourth. Eric Fitch and Cy Darnell recorded back to back hits before Kenley Hood’s sacrifice fly got Webb City on the board. 

The champions of District 7, Webb City erupted for six runs in the fifth. 

Aidan Brock walked, Kaylor Darnell doubled and Brantley Carter walked to load the bases. Fitch then delivered an RBI infield single. Cy Darnell and Cade Wilson followed with two-run doubles. 

After the second pitching change of the inning, Kenley Hood smacked a run-scoring double to left, trimming the deficit to 10-7.

The Pirates got a run back in the bottom of fifth on Wassmann’s RBI single. 

Webb City reliever Walker Sweet worked out of trouble in the sixth, keeping his team’s deficit at four. 

However, the Cardinals went down in order in the seventh.

Fitch and Cy Darnell had two hits apiece, while Cy Darnell, Wilson and Hood drove in two runs apiece. 

Crouch allowed seven runs on six hits and two walks in 1 2/3 innings. He struck out two. Stowell surrendered four runs on four hits and three walks and struck out three in three frames. Sweet did not allow a run in 1 1/3 innings, striking out two. 

Platte County’s Sawyer Allen was the winning pitcher. He allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. 

Webb City’s seniors were Brantley Carter, Kolton Eilenstein, Jeremiah Leaming, Brock, Crouch, Fitch, Stowell and Wilson. 

It was Flave Darnell’s final game as Webb City’s head coach, as he’s moving into an administration position in the school district. 

Darnell recorded more than 300 wins during his coaching career.

STATE TRACK & FIELD: DAY 1 PHOTO GALLERY

Posted on by Jason Peake

The opening day of the 2022 Class 3-5 MSHSAA Track & Field Championships was held on Friday at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City.

Below are photos of Joplin area athletes from SoMo Sports photographer Shawn Fowler.

 

Joplin’s Donovyn Fowler won a state title in the triple jump.

 

Webb City’s Grayson Smith won the Class 4 pole vault.

 

Pictured is Joplin’s 4×800 relay team.
Webb City’s 4×800 relay.

 

Donovyn Fowler

 

Carl Junction’s Olivia Vediz earned all-state honors in the long jump.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carl Junction’s Sydney Ward

 

Joplin’s Jennalee Dunn

 

Webb City’s Riley Hawkins

 

Carl Junction senior Ally Montez.

STATE TRACK ROUNDUP: Joplin’s Fowler, Webb City’s Smith capture gold

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Joplin’s Donovyn Fowler and Webb City’s Grayson Smith captured gold medals in their respective events on Friday at the 2022 MSHSAA Track & Field Championships at Adkins Stadium.

The pair of individual state champions led a strong Joplin area contingent on the first day of the two-day event. 

The area produced a number of individual state medalists in three different classes and East Newton’s boys won a title in the 4×800-meter relay. 

Below is a look at Friday’s highlights. 

 

CLASS 5 BOYS

Joplin senior Donovyn Fowler won the Class 5 triple jump on Friday at the state track meet in Jefferson City. Photos by Shawn Fowler.

A senior at Joplin High School, Fowler won the Class 5 triple jump with a leap of 49-8.25. He recorded the winning jump on his fifth attempt. Fowler’s mark was more than a foot better than the runner-up, as Lee’s Summit’s Joshua Manning jumped 48-5.25.

A future Oklahoma Sooner, Fowler will look to claim gold in the long jump on Saturday. He’s the top seed in the event. 

Fowler wasn’t the only Eagle to make the awards podium on Friday. 

Joplin’s 4×800-meter relay team of Evan Matlock, Nick Horton, Zaben Barnes and Hobbs Campbell finished fifth in 8:02 to earn medalist honors. 

Also, Joplin finished 15th in the prelims of the 4×100 relay and Neosho’s Isaiah Green was ninth in the triple jump (44-0.75).

Joplin’s boys are in third place in the team standings with 14 points. 

 

CLASS 5 GIRLS

Joplin senior Jennalee Dunn earned all-state honors in two events. 

Dunn finished fourth in the 1600-meter run with a time of 4:59. Dunn also reached the podium by finishing seventh in the 800 with a time of 2:16.

The Joplin girls (Allie Lawrence, Abigayle Lowery, Amaya Montgomery, Brynn Driver) finished 15th in the prelims of the 4×200 and did not advance to the finals. Driver was 16th in the prelims of the 400.

Carthage junior Joey Hettinger tied for 10th in the high jump after clearing 4-11.75. 

 

CLASS 4 BOYS

A junior at Webb City, Smith was the state champion in the pole vault after clearing 15-5.75. 

Webb City junior Grayson Smith won the Class 4 pole vault on Friday at the state track meet. Photos by Shawn Fowler.

Smith locked up the gold medal when he was the lone competitor to get over the bar at 13-11 on his first attempt. Kearney’s John Timchak cleared 13-11 on his second attempt but went out at 14-1.75. 

Smith cleared 15-0 and 15-5.75 on his first attempts. Last year’s runner-up in the event, Smith attempted 16-4.75 but was unable to get over the bar on his three attempts.

The Cardinals had two of the top four finishers in the pole vault, as junior Justin Allen placed fourth (13-5.25).

Webb City’s boys finished sixth in the 4×800 relay to earn a spot on the podium, as Daunte Smiles, Roman Borboa, Mason Hedger and Evan Stevens clocked a time of 8:14. 

Also for the Cardinals, Stevens placed seventh in the 3200 in 9:45 and Nate Miller finished 11th in the discus (143-4).

Nevada’s Drew Beachler finished seventh in the triple jump (43-2.5) and teammate James Downing was seventh in the pole vault (12-6). 

McDonald County’s Josh Pacheco finished eighth in the triple jump. 

Webb City’s boys are tied with Festus for the team lead after Day 1, as both schools have 20 points apiece.

 

CLASS 4 GIRLS

Webb City senior Riley Hawkins finished fourth in the Class 4 1600 at the state track meet.

Webb City’s Riley Hawkins placed fourth in the 1600 with a school record time of 5:15. A senior, Hawkins also finished 12th in the 800 (2:25). 

Webb City’s Dawsyn Decker was fourth in the javelin (126-3) and teammate Sami Mancini took seventh in the shot put (36-6.25), giving Webb City’s girls three medalists on the day. 

Carl Junction senior Olivia Vediz placed fourth in the long jump with a leap of 17-5.5 to earn all-state honors.

Nevada’s Lillian Hart tied for seventh in the high jump (5-0.25). 

Also of note, Carl Junction’s Ally Montez advanced to the finals in both hurdle races, while teammate Sydney Ward moved on to the finals in both the 100 and the 200.

The Bulldogs’ 4×400 relay finished 10th in the prelims and did not advance. 

 

CLASS 3 HIGHLIGHTS

East Newton’s boys claimed gold in the 4×800 relay, as Mason Silva, Chase Sorrell, Kelton Sorrell and Gabe Bergen recorded a time of 8:06. The Patriots also won the event in both ’21 and ’19. 

Chase and Kelton Sorrell finished seventh and eighth, respectively, in the 3200. 

Lamar’s Trace Willhite placed fifth in the discus (160-0), with East Newton’s Dominic Shaw seventh in the same event (150-11). 

In Class 3 girls highlights, Lamar’s Phajjia Gordon finished fifth in the shot put (38-7.5) and Seneca’s Rylee Darnell finished sixth in the high jump (5-1).

 

MORE PHOTOS: STATE TRACK & FIELD: DAY 1 PHOTO GALLERY – SoMo Sports (somo-sports.com)

 

Joplin senior Jennalee Dunn earned all-state honors at Friday’s state track meet in Jefferson City. All photos by Shawn Fowler.

COLLEGE SIGNINGS: Webb City seniors sign letters of intent

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

Four Webb City High School seniors made their college decisions official at a signing ceremony on Thursday.

Football players Brentan Wilson, Braxton Surber and Buddy Belcher all signed to play at Peru State College.

The three lifelong friends decided to remain teammates at the next level. Of course, all three players contributed to Webb City’s Class 5 state championship last fall.

Peru State is an NAIA school located in Peru, Nebraska. The Bobcats compete in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. 

Max Higginbotham signed to play basketball at Westminster College.

Higginbotham is a shooting guard who displayed the ability to knock down jumpers from beyond the arc.

Located in Fulton, Missouri, Westminster is an NCAA Division III school that competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

 

Webb City seniors Max Higginbotham, Braxton Surber, Buddy Belcher and Brentan Wilson made their college decisions official at a signing ceremony on Thursday at Webb City High School. Photo by Jason Peake.

BASEBALL: Aurora suffers season-ending setback to Summit Christian

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — The Aurora Houn’ Dawgs saw their stellar season come to an end in the sectional round of the Class 4 state tournament.

Isaac Truesdale delivered a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift Summit Christian to a 4-3 win over Aurora on Wednesday. 

Aurora concludes the season with a record of 21-6. The Houn’ Dawgs had won 13 straight games before Wednesday’s sectional setback. 

Summit Christian (23-2) will meet Rogersville (24-7) in the quarterfinals on Thursday. 

The Eagles had the bases loaded with no outs in the second, but Aurora starting pitcher Trey Mulholland maneuvered out of trouble by striking out two and inducing an inning-ending groundout.

The Houn’ Dawgs plated three runs in the third inning. 

Ryan Clark and Jaesik Friggle scored on back-to-back Summit Christian errors before Mulholland contributed a run-scoring single to right, with Aaron Fisher scoring. 

The Eagles tied it up in the bottom of the fifth, as Fischer Ethridge delivered a two-run single and later scored from third on a passed ball. 

Summit Christian pushed across the winning run in the seventh. With two outs, Morgan Wilkins was hit by a pitch and Eli Guffey walked. Truesdale then singled to center. 

Garrett Ferguson was the winning pitcher. He gave up three runs, none earned, on two hits and struck out 13. 

Mulholland went 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out eight. Friggle took the loss after allowing a run in the seventh. 

Aurora’s seniors are Mulholland, Fisher, Friggle, Clark and Brendon Hall. 

 

BASEBALL: East Newton ends season in sectional round

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

FAIR GROVE, Mo. — East Newton’s 2022 baseball season ended with a 3-0 setback to Fair Grove on Tuesday in the sectional round of the Class 3 state tournament.

The Patriots, who were in the sectional round for the first time in program history, conclude the season with a record of 12-14.

Ranked second by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, Fair Grove (25-2) advanced to the quarterfinals round, where they’ll host top-ranked Springfield Catholic (16-10) on Thursday. 

Fair Grove pitcher Jaxon Rowden delivered a masterful performance, as the junior limited the Patriots to one hit. 

Rowden, who struck out 11, needed only 65 pitches to secure the complete-game shutout victory.

East Newton’s Easton Schrader threw well in defeat. Schrader gave up one earned run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven in six innings. 

Will Eichelberger had East Newton’s lone hit.

The Eagles plated the game’s first run in the fourth, as Kade Gallion was hit by a pitch and Kyle Fritts walked before Garin Geitz delivered an RBI double to center. 

The score held up until the sixth, when Fair Grove added a pair of insurance runs. 

Logan Daniels doubled and Gallion was plunked. Both runners scored on an error for a 3-0 lead.

The run support was plenty for Rowden, who struck out two of three batters in the seventh to seal the win. 

The Patriots graduate just two seniors, Schrader and Zackary Jordon.

STATE SOFTBALL: Wellington-Napoleon rallies past Jasper to win Class 1 title

Posted on by Lucas Davis

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Wellington-Napoleon rallied from an early deficit to earn a 7-2 win over Jasper in the Class 1 state softball championship on Tuesday at Killian Sports Complex.

The Eagles (16-10) opened the game as the aggressor, plating two runs in the top of the first inning to stake themselves to an early advantage. The Tigers (19-2) responded with a run in the first and two more in the second to take a 3-2 lead. Wellington-Napoleon added insurance with one tally in the third inning before two runners scored in the fifth inning and a final run in the sixth. 

Ayden Shannon was clutch at the plate finishing a home run short of hitting for the cycle and in the circle, earning the complete-game win after allowing two runs, one earned, on four hits and 14 strikeouts without walking a batter.

Grace Osborne took the loss after allowing seven runs, five earned, on 11 hits, two walks and three strikeouts in six innings for the Eagles.

Jasper wasted little time reaching the scoreboard as Livia Dumm led off the game with a double to center field before coming around to score two batters later on a one-out RBI single to center field by Bri Haddock for a 1-0 lead. A second run came home in the top of the first inning when courtesy runner Crystal Smith stole third and scored on an error when the throw to the bag ended up in left field to push the lead to 2-0. 

Wellington-Napoleon answered back with a run in the button of the first inning when Ayden Shannon tripled to right field before scoring on the throwing error back to the infield to trim the lead to 2-1.

The Tigers tied the game in the top of the second inning when Melanie Thornburg tripled past the left fielder to plate Kailey Henry, who singled with one out in the previous at-bat. Thornburg came around to score later in the inning on an error to give Wellington-Napoleon a 3-2 lead.

Ayden Shannon doubled to lead off the top of the third before coming around to score from third later in the frame on a single up the middle from Isabelle Miller to push the lead to 4-2.

Ayden Shannon collected her third hit with a single in the bottom of the fifth before stealing second and scoring on an RBI single to right field by Morgan Hamilton to make the score 5-2. Another run came home in the inning on an RBI infield hit from Henry with two outs.

Bree Shannon doubled and scored on a run-scoring single by Brilynn Zykan in the bottom of the sixth. 

Dumm had two hits and scored a run, while Haddock had a hit and drove in one for Jasper.

STATE SOFTBALL: Bentley deals Diamond Wildcats to first ever softball state title

Posted on by Lucas Davis

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Senior Madi Bentley was dominant in her final high school start in the circle and it was a driving force in leading top-ranked Diamond to the program’s first ever state championship as the Wildcats defeated defending state champ Skyline 6-4 in the Class 2 state title game on Tuesday at the Killian Sports Complex.

Skyline (22-5) struck first with a run in the bottom of the second inning before Diamond (29-3) tied it up with a single tally in the third inning. The Wildcats scored the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth inning before pushing across four runs in the seventh frame to build a five-run lead. The Tigers made it interesting in the last of the seventh, scoring three times and leaving the tying run on base when the final out was made.

Bentley earned the complete-game win after allowing four runs on six hits, two walks and eight strikeouts in seven innings.

Jadyn Foster took the complete-game loss after allowing six runs on 11 hits, a walk and five strikeouts in seven innings.

After Bentley, committed to Southwest Baptist, struck out the first five batters she faced, looking for a sixth, Skyline’s Grace Edge ripped an inside two-strike pitch down the line in left off the foul pole for a two-out solo home run for a 1-0 advantage.

Diamond answered back in the top of the third inning when Grace Frazier singled to right field with two outs before stealing second and third to get in scoring position. Caitlyn Suhrie followed with a run-scoring double down the left-field line to tie the game at 1-1.

Suhrie led off the top of the sixth with a single to right field before moving to second on a stolen base and advancing to third on the same play after an error on Skyline. Bentley followed with an RBI single to center field to plate the go-ahead run for a 2-1 lead. Lexy Bridges doubled to left in the next at-bat to put runners at second and third with no outs in the inning, but Skyline got out of the jam without another run touching home to keep the deficit at one run.

Kabrie Parmley singled to lead off the top of the seventh for Diamond before Lauren Turner followed with a single and moved to second on the throw to put runners at second and third with no outs for the second straight inning. Frazier followed with a single to right field to plate an insurance run for a 3-1 lead. Bridges capped the scoring with a two-out three-run home run over the wall in straight away center field to push the lead to 6-1 lead.

Skyline threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning, loading the bases with one out on a walk and two hits before a second walk in the inning forced home a run. Kalli Edison followed with a shallow single to right field to bring a run home and cut the lead to 6-3 with the bases remaining loaded. Autumn Baldwin singled up the middle in the next at-bat to score a run, but a second run was cut down at the plate for the second out of the inning with the Wildcats’ lead sitting at 6-4. Bentley induced a popup on the infield for the final out to clinch her team’s first ever state title.

Turner had three hits, including a double, and scored a run, while Bridges doubled and homered to go along with three RBI and a run scored. Frazier had two hits, scored twice and drove in one. Suhrie doubled on the way to two hits, an RBI and a run scored.

SECTIONAL TRACK & FIELD: Webb City, Carl Junction sending large contingents to state

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WAYNESVILLE, Mo. — Webb City and Carl Junction will be sending large contingents to the state track meet. 

The Cardinals and Bulldogs earned state berths with their respective performances at Monday’s Class 4 Sectional 3 meet at Waynesville High School.

McDonald County and Monett also had state-qualifiers.

At the sectional, the top four finishers in each event advanced to state. The state track meet for schools in classes 3-5 is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City. 

BOYS QUALIFIERS

Webb City’s Grayson Smith and Justin Allen were the top two finishers in the pole vault. Smith cleared 15-0.25 and Allen got over the bar at 13-1.5. 

The Cardinals were third in the 4×800 relay, as Daunte Smiles, Mason Hedger, Blake Vaughan and Roman Borboa recorded a time of 8:17.

Webb City’s 4×200 relay advanced by finishing fourth in 1:31, with Jordan Thornburg, William Wolfe, Dupree Jackson and William Headrick competing. 

Also for the Cardinals, Trey Roets was the runner-up in the javelin (169-9.5), Nate Miller finished fourth in the discus (139-8.5) and Evan Stevens placed fourth in the 3200 (9:54).

The Cardinals just missed qualifying in in the 4×100 relay, as they were edged at the finish line by Marshfield for the final spot. 

McDonald County’s Joshua Pacheco took third in the triple jump (44-0.75) and teammate Andrew Moritz was fourth in the javelin (166-5.25).

Monett’s Konner Poynter placed third in both the 110 hurdles and the 400-meter dash and finished fourth in the 200 to advance in three events. 

Willard (115), West Plains (106.5), Webb City (65), Marshfield (62) and Jefferson City (55.5) were the top five teams. 

Webb City senior Riley Hawkins is pictured at the sectional track meet on Monday in Waynesville. Photos by Shawn Fowler.

GIRLS QUALIFIERS

Webb City senior Riley Hawkins advanced in two events, as the Missouri Southern recruit won the 800 in 2:23 and took second in the 1600 with a school record time of 5:16. Hawkins just missed qualifying in the 3200, as she finished fifth. 

Also for the Webb City girls, Sami Mancini was the runner-up in the shot put (37-2), Ripley Shanks was fourth in the pole vault (10-0), Abi Street finished fourth in the 3200 (11:49) and Dawsyn Decker took fourth in the javelin (117-6.75).

The Webb City 4×800 relay team of Sophia Crane, Hally Philpot, Izzy Lopez and Alanna Bundy finished fourth in 10:11. 

Webb City’s Izzy Lopez is pictured.

Carl Junction’s Ally Montez, Sydney Ward and Olivia Vediz each advanced to state in two individual events. 

A senior, Montez won the 100 hurdles in 14.87 seconds and crossed the line first in the 300 hurdles in 44.82. 

A freshman, Ward won the 100-meter dash in 12.38 seconds and also took first in the 200 with a time of 25.49 seconds. 

A senior, Vediz took second in the long jump (17-1) and placed fourth in the triple jump (34-11.75) to advance in both events. 

Montez and Ward also advanced with the 4×400 relay team that finished second in 4:07. Also running were Emily Rice and Delaney Harris.  

Monett’s Vayla Smith finished third in the girls 400 in 1:00.9. 

West Plains (113), Marshfield (75), Rolla (73), Carl Junction (73) and Webb City (69) were the top five teams. 

 

FULL RESULTS: 

MSHSAA Class 4 Sectional 3 2022 – Complete (milesplit.com)

 

 

Pictured is Carl Junction senior Ally Montez.

 

Carl Junction senior Olivia Vediz is pictured. All photos by Shawn Fowler.

Pictured is Webb City senior Ripley Shanks.

SECTIONAL TRACK & FIELD: Eagles, Tigers, Wildcats secure state berths

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

WAYNESVILLE, Mo. — The Joplin area will be well-represented at this weekend’s MSHSAA Track and Field Championships.

Joplin, Carthage and Neosho all had state-qualifiers at the Class 5 Sectional 3 meet on Monday at Waynesville High School.

At the sectional, the top four finishers in each event advanced to state. 

The state track meet for schools in classes 3-5 is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City. 

Joplin’s Donovyn Fowler won both the long jump and triple jump at Monday’s sectional track meet. Photos by Shawn Fowler.

BOYS QUALIFIERS

Joplin senior Donovyn Fowler advanced to state in four events, earning a pair of gold medals to go with two silvers. 

For starters, Fowler won both of his signature events, as the Oklahoma signee took first in the long jump with a school record leap of 24-6.5 and also won the triple jump with a leap of 49-5.25.

Fowler also finished second in the 200-meter dash with a time of 22.78 seconds. 

The JHS team of Orion Norris, Davin Thomas, Luke Vieselmeyer and Fowler finished second in the 4×100 relay in 43.45 seconds. 

Donovahn Watkins won the shot put and advanced to the state track meet.

Eagles senior Donovahn Watkins was the sectional champ in the shot put with a toss of 58-2.

JHS junior Hobbs Campbell advanced to state in three events. Campbell won the 1600 in 4:21 and took second in the 800 in 1:54.

Joplin’s 4×800 relay finished fourth in 8:06 to advance, with Evan Matlock, Nicholas Horton, Zaben Barnes and Campbell competing.

Campbell just missed advancing in the 3200 after finishing fifth. 

Carthage’s Micah Lindsey finished fourth in the shot put with a heave of 49-4.25. The Tigers’ 4×400 relay fell one spot of advancing after taking fifth. 

Neosho’s Kaden Cole was the runner-up in the 1600 with a time of 4:24.

Also for the Wildcats, Tyrese Hill finished third in the 100-meter dash in 11.22 seconds to advance, while Isaiah Green finished fourth in the triple jump (43-4.5). Jared Siler fell just short of moving on in the high jump after finishing fifth. 

The top six teams were Capital City (98), Joplin (79), Lafayette (55), Republic (55), Nixa (54) and Waynesville (54).  

 

GIRLS QUALIFIERS

Pictured is Joplin senior Jennalee Dunn. Dunn placed second in two events at the sectional meet on Monday, advancing to state. 

On the girls side, Joplin senior Jennalee Dunn placed second in two events, the 1600 with a school record time of 4:57 and in the 800 with a time of 2:18. 

Joplin’s Maria Loum placed third in the pole vault (9-6.25) and teammate Brynn Driver placed third in the 400-meter dash (1:00.95). 

The JHS girls advanced in the 4×200 relay by finishing third, as Allie Lawrence, Abigayle Lowery, Amaya Montgomery and Driver recorded a time of 1:46. 

Carthage’s Joey Hettinger placed second in the girls high jump by clearing 5-5. 

The Tigers came up just short in the 4×100, finishing fifth. Carthage’s Lilly Holmes was fifth in the shot put and seventh in the discus.

Neosho’s girls were unable to advance. Madilyn Ebbinghaus was fifth in the 200, Riley Kemna finished sixth in the 3200 and Beclynn Garrett was eighth in the javelin. 

The top five girls teams were Capital City (102), Lafayette (96), Nixa (83), Eureka (72) and Kickapoo (60).

 

FULL RESULTS: 

MSHSAA Class 5 Sectional 3 2022 – Complete Results (milesplit.com)

 

 

 

 

Joplin’s Brynn Driver is pictured during Monday’s sectional track meet in Waynesville. All photos by Shawn Fowler.

 

Pictured is Carthage’s Micah Lindsey.

 

Kaden Cole and Hobbs Campbell qualified for state with their performances at the sectional track meet in Waynesville.

 

 

 

STATE SOFTBALL: Osborne’s gem propels Jasper into title game

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Grace Osborne tossed a complete-game shutout, leading Jasper to a 3-0 win over Holcomb on Monday in the semifinals of the MSHSAA Class 1 Spring Softball State Tournament at Killian Softball Complex. 

The Eagles (16-9) will meet Wellington-Napoleon (19-2) at noon on Tuesday in the state championship game. 

A sophomore right-hander, Osborne surrendered just one hit and three walks while striking out 14 in a stellar pitching performance. 

Jasper plated the game’s first run in the third inning. Julia Case walked, with Crystal Smith pinch-running. Smith took second on Abigail Dumm’s groundout and then came home when the Hornets failed to corral Livia Dumm’s ground ball up the middle.

The Eagles added two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Emersyn Bass walked and later scored on Osborne’s RBI double to center. The second run scored on Abigail Dumm’s groundout. 

Holcomb’s Alyssa Brown was charged with the loss. 

In the other semifinal, Wellington-Napoleon defeated Plato 3-1.

STATE SOFTBALL: Diamond advances to title game with walk-off win

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The Diamond Wildcats will play for a state softball championship. 

Diamond earned a thrilling 7-6 walk-off win over Kennett in the semifinals of the MSHSAA Class 2 Spring Softball State Tournament on Monday at Killian Softball Complex. 

The Wildcats (28-3) will meet Skyline (22-4) at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in the championship game. Diamond is in a title game for the first time in school history. 

Monday’s back and forth semifinal was deadlocked at six after six innings. 

After the Indians failed to score in the top of the seventh, the Wildcats won the game in the bottom half.

Sophomore Caitlyn Suhrie doubled to left to start the final inning, and she took third on Madison Bentley’s fly out. With one out, Lexy Bridges grounded back to Kennett pitcher Anelle Harris, who looked the runner back and threw to first for the out. But Suhrie charged home on the play, sliding in safely for the winning run.

The Wildcats overcame a three-run deficit.

Kennett pushed across a single tally in the first inning, but the Wildcats plated two runs in the bottom half. One run scored on Bentley’s sac fly before another tally crossed home on an error. 

The Indians scored four runs in the second for a 5-2 lead, but Diamond tied it up Suhrie’s three-run homer in the third. 

The Indians scored once in the fifth before the Wildcats tied it up in the sixth after Kabrie Parmley doubled and came home on Lauren Turner’s RBI single. 

Bentley earned the pitching victory. She allowed five earned runs on seven hits and four walks in seven innings while striking out six. 

Turner went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Suhrie scored three runs and drove in three runs on two hits. Grace Frazier scored twice. 

Harris took the loss. She gave up six earned runs on eight hits and three walks, striking out five. 

Handley McAtee and Harris had two hits apiece for the Indians. 

Skyline defeated Park Hills Central 6-4 in the other semifinal.

SECTIONAL TRACK: Local athletes advance to state meet; East Newton boys continue to shine

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

HOLLISTER, Mo. — A stellar season continues for the East Newton High School boys track and field squad. 

With 86 points, the Patriots topped the team standings at the Class 3 Sectional 3 meet at Hollister High School. 

Overall, athletes from East Newton, Seneca, Lamar, Cassville, Aurora and Mount Vernon earned state berths by finishing in the top-four of their respective events. 

The Class 3 state track meet will be held next weekend in Jefferson City. 

 

EAST NEWTON

The Patriots won the 4×800 relay in 8:28, with Kelton Sorrell, Mason Silva, Robert McFarland and Chase Sorrell competing. 

East Newton also won the 4×400 relay, as Gabe Bergen, Chase Sorrell, Michael Crowe and Kelton Sorrell recorded a time of 3:31. 

Kelton Sorrell took first in the 800, while Chase Sorrell placed second in the 1600. Chase and Kelton finished second and third, respectively, in the 3200. 

Bergen won the 300 hurdles and was third in the 110 hurdles. 

Also finishing third in their events for East Newton were Michael Crowe (high jump) and Dominic Shaw (discus).

For the East Newton girls, Alyssa Coffey placed fourth in the discus to advance. 

 

LAMAR 

Lamar’s boys won the 4×200-meter relay in 1:31, with Adam Kluhsman, Ian Ngugi, Thomas Gammon and Trace Willhite competing. 

The Tigers also won the 4×100 in 43.94 seconds, with Gammon, Ngugi, Kluhsman and Willhite running. Lamar’s boys were third in the 4×400. 

Willhite won the discus and was also third in the javelin. Blaine Breshears was the runner-up in the 800, Tyson Williams placed fourth in the discus and Terrill Davis was fourth in the long jump.

The Tigers finished third in the 4×800.

For the Lamar girls, Phajjia Gordon won the shot put and took third in the discus, while Kiersten Potter finished third in the 3200 and was fourth in the 1600.

Lamar’s Marcy Miller was second in the high jump and Elise Ferris placed fourth in the long jump. 

The Lamar girls qualified in the 4×200 relay by finishing fourth.

 

SENECA

For the Seneca girls, Katelyn Fyock placed third in the triple jump, Rylee Darnell finished third in the high jump and Isabella Renfro was third in the shot put. 

 

CASSVILLE

Cassville’s Marianne McCrackin, Annie Moore, Tori Mitchell and Jolie Evans won the 4×800 relay in 10:21. 

The team of Sharayah Seymour, Jolie Evans, Moore and Jadyn Williams-Reed took second in the 4×400. 

Moore won the pole vault, Riley Morris was the runner-up in the discus and Landry Parnell finished fourth in the javelin.  

On the boys side, Cassville’s Bradan Dickinson won the shot put and Caleb Leach was fourth in the 1600. 

The Wildcats were fourth in the 4×800 relay.

 

MOUNT VERNON

Mount Vernon’s Earl Trimble won the boys pole vault and Wyatt Cordray was fourth in the 110 hurdles.

Kadence Krempges tied for second in the girls pole vault to advance.

 

AURORA 

Aurora’s Makena Hall was the sectional champ in the girls 100 hurdles, while Maisie Phillips took third in the 300 hurdles. 

 

FULL RESULTS: MSHSAA Class 3 Sectional 3 2022 – Complete (Raw) (milesplit.com)

STATE TRACK & FIELD: College Heights girls win 2 events in Class 2; CHC, Thomas Jefferson, McAuley athletes compete at Class 1 meet

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — College Heights Christian’s girls won two events at the MSHSAA Class 2 Track and Field Championships on Saturday at Adkins Stadium.

College Heights junior Addie Lawrence claimed a gold medal in the 400-meter dash by recording a time of 58.97 seconds. Lawrence won the same event at last year’s Class 1 meet. 

The College Heights girls reached the podium in two relays, capturing gold and silver medals. 

The CHC team of Jayli Johnson, Lauren Ukena, Emily Winters and Lawrence won the 4×400-meter relay in 4:09. 

College Heights Christian’s 4×200-meter relay team of Johnson, Ukena, Winters and Lawrence finished second with a time of 1:48.5. North Platte won in 1:44. 

Shortly after winning the 400, Lawrence finished fourth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.67 seconds. With that, Lawrence earned four trips to the awards podium.

The CHC girls finished fifth in the team standings with 33 points. 

Of course, College Heights’ girls won the Class 1 team championship last season and were bumped up to Class 2 this year. 

North Platte claimed the Class 2 girls team championship with 71 points. Lawson (48), Saxony Lutheran (42) and Monroe City (34) finished second, third and fourth, respectively. 

 

CLASS 1 

College Heights Christian’s boys recorded a top-seven showing in three relays, including a runner-up finish.

The Cougars finished second in the 4×400-meter relay with a time of 3:35. The 4×400 featured Ethan Ukena, Colsen Dickens, Derrick McMillan and Caleb Quade. 

College Heights Christian’s team of Dickens, Quade, Ukena and Matt Williams finished seventh in the 4×200 relay with a time of 1:35.39. 

The Cougars were also seventh in the 4×100, as Zach Beaty, Dickens, Ukena and Williams finished in 46.72 seconds. 

CHC’s Ukena placed seventh in the triple jump with a leap of 39-10.

The College Heights boys finished 20th in the team standings with 14 points. 

Capping off a stellar junior season, Thomas Jefferson’s Kip Atteberry finished fourth in the 1600 in 4:33 and was also seventh in the 800 (2:04). 

Atteberry placed third in the 3200 on Friday. Atteberry scored 13 points for the Cavaliers, which was good for 21st in the team standings. 

Thomas Jefferson’s girls placed 10th in the 4×800 relay, as Macie Shifferd, Samantha Seto, Mia Grubbs and Sarah Mueller recorded a time of 11:41. TJ’s Lannah Grigg was 10th in the discus (98-2).

McAuley Catholic’s Kendall Ramsey finished 10th in the 3200-meter run with a school-record time of 12:55.

 

NOTES: Jasper’s Crystal Smith won the 100-meter hurdles in 16.02 seconds. She also placed second in the 200. A freshman, Smith captured gold in the high jump on Friday. 

Principia won the Class 1 boys championship with 73 points, while Drexel was the girls champion with 46 points. Lawson won the Class 2 boys championship with 48.5 points.

STATE TENNIS: Thomas Jefferson doubles team takes third; Ding ends stellar career on a high note

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. —  In the grand finale of a stellar prep tennis career, Thomas Jefferson senior Ian Ding went out with a win.

Ding and Tyler Brouhard finished third in the Class 2 doubles bracket at the MSHSAA Boys Tennis Championships on Friday at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

In the third-place match, the Cavaliers defeated Parkway West’s Kai Daudsyah and Winston Gao in straight sets, 6-3, 6-1, to conclude the 2022 season on a high note.

Pictured is Thomas Jefferson senior Ian Ding.

“I’m really happy with how we finished the season,” Ding said. “Coming in, I didn’t know if we’d even make it to the Final Four. Coming away with third place is amazing. It’s nice I was able to end my career with a win. I think this is a great accomplishment, so I’m just really happy with how we ended things.” 

“It’s been a great tournament for us,” Cavaliers coach Tom Brumfield said. “We had high expectations, but you never know who you’re going to play until you get here. And there’s no easy rounds at state. It’s not like you can play bad and get by. Our doubles team did an awesome job. They played well overall. The wind picked up today and made it challenging for both sides, but our guys did a great job.” 

In Thursday’s opening round, Ding and Brouhard defeated Branson’s Garrett Beckham-Nathan Bartram 6-1, 6-4. In the quarterfinals, Ding and Brouhard beat Grain Valley’s Carter Compton-Kade Compton 6-3, 6-3.

After going 2-0 on Thursday, the Cavaliers met Ladue’s Brian Tokarczyk and Amit Kadan in Friday morning’s semifinals. The Ladue duo topped Ding-Brouhard in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 10-4. 

Brumfield noted the hard-fought match could have gone either way. 

Tyler Brouhard hits a volley at the net during the Class 2 third-place match on Friday at the Cooper Tennis Complex. Photos by Jason Peake.

“They were right there with a chance to go to the finals,” Brumfield noted. “They were close. They made a few mistakes in the tie-breaker.” 

With that loss, the Cavaliers headed to the third-place match, where they were in control from the start.

The Cavs limited their mistakes while taking advantage of their opponents’ miscues.

“I think we played really well,” Brouhard said. “We’ve been training all year for this. We stayed consistent on the court. We got our serves in and our net play was very good. Third place is great.”

As a doubles team, Ding and Brouhard only dropped three matches all season while winning nearly 30 contests. 

“Tyler and I played well together all season,” Ding said. “I think we have good chemistry. We know what the other person is going to do. Today, we played steady and tried not to give away too many free points.”

Tyler Brouhard and Ian Ding celebrate a point on Friday morning.

While Ding’s prep career has come to an end, Brouhard is just a junior. He noted this year’s state showing will provide extra motivation for next spring.

“It’s definitely a confidence boost for me and I’m definitely going to train in the offseason,” Brouhard said. “Hopefully I’ll improve and be back here next year.” 

Brumfield added he was pleased with the performance of Thomas Jefferson sophomore Prithvi Nagarajan, who went 1-2 in singles on Thursday. 

“Prithvi was in every match he played, which was great to see,” Brumfield said. “He won a match at state as a sophomore. He did a great job.”

Ding and Hari Nagarajan were the team’s lone seniors this season. 

The Cavaliers will return a solid core next season, as Brouhard, Prithvi Nagarajan, sophomores Chengle Qian and Devan Murali and freshman Jack Goodhue will all return with varsity experience. 

“Tyler’s game is looking better all the time, so next year we’ll need him to step up and be a leader,” Brumfield said. “I’m really proud of Tyler for playing the way he did here at state.”

 

A STELLAR PREP CAREER

Ian Ding serves during Friday’s third-place match.

The left-handed Ding established himself as one of the region’s top players during his freshman season, as he displayed a solid overall game from the start.

He qualified for state in singles as a freshman, advancing to the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual state champion. 

Of course, Ding missed out on a sophomore campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As a junior, Ding finished fourth in the singles bracket at state. Ding also played a key role as the Cavaliers went 15-1 in duals and earned a runner-up finish at last year’s Class 2 state team tournament. 

This year’s Thomas Jefferson squad went 13-3 in dual matches. 

Ding, also a standout student at TJ, added a third-place showing at state to his tennis resume. 

“A lot of great memories,” Ding said of his high school tennis career. “Obviously, I missed a whole year in 2020. The three years I had with Coach Brumfield and the team were really amazing. I had great teammates and a great coach. It’s a little bittersweet right now.” 

As far as his future plans, Ding said he’ll be attending Boston University to major in computer science. Ding added he hopes to play on the university’s club tennis team.

In the moments following the Cavs’ season-ending victory, Brumfield took a moment to reflect on Ding’s standout prep career. 

To Brumfield, there’s no doubt Ding left his mark on the TJ tennis program. 

“Ian got robbed of a sophomore season,” Brumfield said. “I think if he would have gotten to play as a sophomore he might be way up there all-time in wins at TJ, counting singles and doubles. Ian’s had a great career…really something special. And I just told him there’s not many people that finish their careers with a win at state. He did.” 

 

 FULL RESULTS: 2022BoysTennisSinglesDoubles – Google Drive

 

 

 

STATE TRACK & FIELD: Area athletes compete at Class 1-2 meets

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The College Heights Christian girls track and field squad had a solid showing on the opening day of the MSHSAA Class 2 Track and Field Championships on Friday at Adkins Stadium.

College Heights junior standout Addie Lawrence had the top time, 58.11 seconds, in the prelims of the 400-meter run. 

A junior, Lawrence also finished second in the 200-meter dash prelims with a time of 25.35 seconds. She’ll compete in the finals in both individual events on Saturday. 

Lawrence and the Cougars will also run in the finals of two relays. 

CHC’s 4×400 relay team of Jayli Johnson, Lawrence, Lauren Ukena and Emily Winters finished first in the prelims with a time of 4:07. 

The College Heights 4×200 relay team of Johnson, Ukena, Winters and Lawrence finished second in the prelims with a time of 1:47.  

Also for the CHC girls, Johnson finished 12th in the prelims of the 400 and Ukena was 13th in the prelims of the 300-hurdles. 

 

CLASS 1 

The College Heights boys and boys and girls squads from Thomas Jefferson Independent competed at the Class 1 state track meet on Friday.

Thomas Jefferson’s Kip Atteberry placed third and earned the bronze medal in the 3200-meter run with a time of 10:14. 

A junior, Atteberry will compete in the 800 and the 1600 on Saturday.

Thomas Jefferson’s Elias Rincker was unable to advance to the finals of the 300-hurdles, as the senior finished 13th in the prelims. 

The College Heights Christian boys advanced to the finals in three relays.

The Cougars were third in the prelims of the 4×400, as Ethan Ukena, Colsen Dickens, Derrick McMillan and Caleb Quade clocked a time of 3:34.

College Heights Christian’s 4×200 relay team of Dickens, Quade, Ukena and Matt Williams advanced after finishing sixth in the prelims with a time of 1:34.

The Cougars also advanced in the 4×100 relay by finishing eighth, as Zach Beaty, Dickens, Ukena and Williams clocked a time of 45.78 seconds. 

CHC’s Dickens was ninth in the prelims of the 400-meter run and Williams finished 16th in the 100-meter dash prelims. 

Thomas Jefferson’s girls finished 12th in the prelims of the 4×100 relay, as Avery Hocker, Nico Carlson, Gabbi Hiebert and Alivia Beard recorded a time of 54.38 seconds. 

Hocker was 15th in the triple jump (30-7.75).

Also of note, Jasper freshman Crystal Smith won the Class 1 high jump by clearing 5-3. 

The Class 1-2 state track meets conclude on Saturday.

DISTRICT BASEBALL ROUNDUP: Aurora claims district crown; Nevada falls short; East Newton makes history

Posted on by Jason Peake

 

AURORA 8, MOUNT VERNON 0

AURORA, Mo. — Top-seeded Aurora blanked third-seeded Mount Vernon 8-0 on Thursday in the Class 4 District 11 title game.

The Houn’ Dawgs are now 21-5 after a 13th straight win. Aurora captured its first district title since 2018.

The host Houn’ Dawgs plated seven runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.

Aurora starting pitcher Trey Mulholland earned the win and improved to 10-0 this season. Mulholland tossed a complete-game shutout, striking out five and giving up three hits.

Jaesik Friggle and Ryan Clark had three hits apiece for Aurora, while Heath Hoffman contributed two hits and Kelton Brown had two RBI.

Braden Dodson took the loss after surrendering six runs on five hits and two walks. 

Jacob Leeper, Sean Raucher and Dodson had the lone hits for the Mountaineers.

Mount Vernon ends the season at 14-13.

Aurora travels to Summit Christian on Tuesday in a Class 4 sectional. 

 

SUMMIT CHRISTIAN 4, NEVADA 2 

HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — Top-seeded Summit Christian Academy knocked off third-seeded Nevada 4-2 on Thursday night in the championship game of the Class 4 District 12 tournament.

Nevada ends the season with a record of 17-7, while Summit Christian is now 22-2.

The Tigers plated a run in the first inning on Case Sanderson’s RBI double, but the Eagles scored three runs in the bottom half on an error, four hits and a walk. 

Nate Bartlett’s home run gave Summit Christian a 4-1 lead in the fifth.

In the sixth, Eli Cheaney’s RBI single cut Nevada’s deficit to two. 

The Tigers had the tying run at the plate in the seventh, but they failed to score. 

Garrett Ferguson was the winning pitcher. He struck out 10 and allowed two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings. Bartlett earned the save. 

Cheaney took the loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings. He struck out six. 

A Nebraska recruit, Sanderson had two hits for Nevada. 

 

EAST NEWTON 12, DIAMOND 3

LAMAR, Mo. — The East Newton Patriots secured the program’s first district championship by beating Diamond 12-3 on Tuesday in Class 3 District 11 action. 

East Newton (12-13) will travel to Fair Grove (24-2) on May 24 in a sectional contest of the state tournament. First pitch is at 5:30 p.m.

The Patriots used a seven-run second inning and a four-run fourth to take control of the district title game. 

Kolt Walters was the winning pitcher. He struck out 10 and allowed just two hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. Will Eichenberger tossed the final 1 1/3 innings in relief. 

Easton Schrader and Eichenberger drove in two runs apiece, while Braxton Wolfe, Zack Jordon, Brinnen VanLue, Josh Mathis and Luke Moore had one RBI apiece.

Diamond finished the season at 12-17.

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