The Webb City boys track and field team made history last spring by capturing the Class 4 state championship.
Now, the reloaded Cardinals enter the 2022 season with lofty goals and high expectations once again.
Despite losing a talented senior class to graduation, the Cardinals have a solid core back from last year’s squad to go along with a number of promising newcomers.
And for the first time in program history, the Cardinals enter a season as the defending state champs.
“We haven’t talked about being state champs at all,” Cardinals coach Dustin Miller said. “But overall, I think there’s more excitement in the community about our program. And we have a higher percentage of desirable athletes out than we normally do. More of the better athletes are willing to try it than they have been in the past. That’s a positive for us.”
Miller expects this year’s new-look squad to continue the program’s tradition of excellence.
“There’s a different energy for us this year,” Miller said. “We had a very veteran crew last year, and track and field was their priority. That had never happened before. We have a lot of good athletes this year, but a lot of them are new to track and field. We have a ton of young guys and a lot of new guys. We’re excited about that. We’re really green, so we’re going to protect kids and take it slow. We might not look that great early on, but by the end of the season I think we’ll be OK.”
WHO’S GONE?
The Cardinals must overcome the loss of a talented senior class. Included in the group were individual state medalists Mekhi Garrard, Pryce Mason, Asa Morgan, Luke Brumit and Zetthew Meister.
Garrard was the state champ in the long jump and took second in the triple jump. Morgan (110 hurdles) and Brumit (high jump) placed third in their respective events, while Mason (pole vault) and Meister (discus) both finished fourth.
The Cardinals also lost the majority of their performers on the 4×400 and 4×800 relays that finished third and fourth, respectively.
WHO’S BACK?
The Cardinals return a pair of individual state medalists.
Junior Grayson Smith was the state runner-up in the pole vault after clearing 14 feet, 10 inches, a school record.
Miller said Smith is a clear favorite to claim the gold at this year’s state meet.
“There’s not a lot of guys in the state who can challenge him,” Miller said. “We’re this early in the season and Grayson has already had great attempts at 16 feet. He’s that good. I think everybody else is in trouble.”
Like Smith, junior Justin Allen is expected to score big points in the pole vault.
“Pole vault is by far our strongest event, but we do a good job of keeping our eyes on championship season,” Miller said. “We’ll be much improved throughout the season.”
Senior distance runner Roman Borboa returns after placing eighth in the 1,600 at last year’s state meet. Borboa also qualified for state in the 800.
“I expect Roman to become a dominant force in the distance events,” Miller said.
Miller expects big things out of junior Billy Wolfe, who was part of Webb City’s 4×400 relay that took third in the state last May. Wolfe is an option in the 100-meter dash, the 200, 400 and the high jump.
Senior distance runner Dustin Brockmiller is a Pittsburg State signee, while junior Jordan Thornburg is a sprinter who is expected to contribute nicely.
NEWCOMERS
The Cardinals have several newcomers, including several multi-sport standouts, who should contribute nicely.
Senior Dupree Jackson is a sprinter, while junior Dante Washington is a sprinter who may also compete in the javelin and the triple jump.
Juniors Trey Roets and Lucas Ott and sophomore Nate Miller are throwers.
“We have several good athletes with limited track and field experience, so they are excited to get out there and see how they measure up,” Miller said.
GOALS SET HIGH
Coach Miller is confident his team has the potential to challenge for conference, district and sectional titles. A podium finish at the state meet is another goal for the Cardinals.
“I think we will be able to challenge Joplin for a COC title,” he said. “If we’re Class 4, we’ll have a chance to win districts, qualify at least 10 events to the state meet and have a chance to trophy at state.”
The Cardinals will soon discover if they will be competing in Class 4 or Class 5 this season.
Webb City’s track and field squads open the season on March 31 at the Carthage Invitational.
“That will be a nice early test for us,” Miller said. “There’s always great competition at Carthage.”
Miller added he’s been pleased with what he’s seen during early-season practices.
“Our guys are putting out good effort and they have good attitudes,” Miller said. “That’s all we ask for. We’ll put the pieces in place come May.”
