The Thomas Jefferson Cavaliers return five boys and six girls from last season and they also feature a few newcomers this coming season for their head coach Clayton Carnahan.
“This year’s team is better prepared than any I have seen in my time here at TJ,” Carnahan said. “They are determined to succeed and willing to put in the work to get there. This year’s team has already put in much of the work necessary to start the season off right.
“I think this season will show a lot of personal accomplishments. This high school team will be a great encouragement to the seventh and eighth graders coming up. While some of the boys’ team are still green in ability, they have great attitudes and are willing to work. And the girls’ team has a lot of strength in their grit and resilience. I expect that team will continue to surprise themselves with their accomplishments.”
On the boys side, Thomas Jefferson returns senior Kip Atteberry (800, 1600, 3200), senior Shayaan Anis (throws), sophomore Sheraz Anis (100, 200, 400, 110 hurdles), senior Jay Ball (throws) and sophomore Layton Green (100, 200).
For the girls, returners are senior Nico Carlson (400, high jump, steeplechase, 4×800), sophomore Lannah Grigg (shot put, discus), junior Gabbi Hiebert (400, 300 hurdles, high jump, triple jump), junior Avery Hocker (100 hurdles, long jump, triple jump), junior Sarah Mueller (800, 1600, 3200) and senior Samantha Seto (800, 1600, 3200).
Newcomers are freshman Brent Beyersdorfer (400, 800), senior Tyler Brouhard (200, 400, 800), and sophomore Braden Honeywell-Lynch (800, 1600, 3200) on the boys side and freshman Jenna Joseph (100, 200, 400) on the girls side.
“The juniors and seniors on the team are great leaders through their personal strength and demeanor,” Carnahan said. “They are excellent role models to the rest of the team. Second, the team has a strong culture of community this year, and it is a culture of excellence and mutual respect and support. This strong leadership and stellar culture will help us meet new goals and stay resilient in difficult moments.
“As we grow stronger this year, our goal is a moving target. We will have to keep pushing to keep improving.”
Last season, the Thomas Jefferson boys finished in a tie for 25th in Class 1 with 13 points.
Atteberry qualified for state in all three of his events and he finished seventh in the 800 in 2 minutes, 4.93 seconds, fourth in the 1600 in 4:33.32, and third in the 3200 in 10:14.44.
The Cavaliers open their season on Friday in Neosho and their schedule runs through Galena (March 30), Pittsburg State (April 7), Pierce City (April 11), Joplin (April 12), Sarcoxie (April 19), Monett (April 25), and Webb City (April 28) before district, sectional, and possibly state competition in May.
Thomas Jefferson also hosts the Ozark 7 Conference meet on April 19.
