The Thomas Jefferson Independent School track and field squad features eight returning state qualifiers and a number of promising newcomers this spring.
With that, the expectations are high for the Cavaliers.
“We return eight out of 10 kids who qualified for state last May,” Cavaliers coach Junior Joseph told SoMo Sports. “The kids are eager to get back there again this season. I believe that both of our teams should be able to compete at each meet we attend. Our goal this season is to compete for a conference title and have as many kids as possible qualify for the state meet.”
The top returners for the TJ boys are senior Elias Rincker (sprints, jumps) and juniors Kip Atteberry (distance), Levi Triplett (sprints, jumps), Ryken Garren (throws) and Benjamin Carroll (throws).
Atteberry placed fourth in the 1600 and was 10th in the 800 at last year’s Class 1 state track meet. Rincker, Triplett and Atteberry competed at state in the 4×400 relay with the graduated Kelsey Atteberry.
The Cavaliers have a large number of newcomers who are expected to contribute nicely— juniors Jay Ball (throws) and Shayaan Anis (throws), sophomore Cameron Huthsing (sprints) and freshmen Sheraz Anis (sprints), Gavin Box (sprints), Eann Espinoza (jumps), Layton Green (sprints) and Lincoln Miller (sprints).
“Our men’s team will rely heavily on our distance program and field events,” Joseph said. “Kip Atteberry had a great cross country season, finishing fourth at the state meet. Elias Rincker is a great leader and he’ll be leading our jumps and will be in the mix competing for top spots at each meet.”
Thomas Jefferson’s girls team returns a solid core. Back with prior varsity experience are senior Alivia Beard (sprints), junior Nico Carlson (sprints, jumps) and sophomores Alaina Edmondson (throws), Mia Grubbs (distance), Avery Hocker (jumps, sprints), Sarah Mueller (distance) and Alexis Stamps (multiple events).
Beard qualified for last year’s state meet in both the 100-meter dash and the 200, finishing 15th and 16th, respectively.
As a freshman, Hocker went to state in the triple jump, finishing 16th.
Hocker, Carlson and Beard joined the graduated Sydney Stamps on last year’s qualifying 4×100 relay, while Beard, Hocker, Carlson and Mueller competed at state in the 4×400 relay.
Newcomers who should contribute nicely for the TJ girls are juniors Samantha Seto (distance) and Phoenix Wade (throws), sophomores Gabbi Hiebert (jumps) and Julianne Wachtel (distance) and freshmen Lannah Grigg (throws), Macie Shifferd (distance), Leah Studer (sprints, jumps) and Jenna Trimble (throws, distance).
Mueller, Shifferd and Grubbs all qualified for the Class 1 state cross country meet this past fall.
“On the women’s side, I believe we’ll be able to score in the short sprints with Alivia,” Joseph said. “We’ll have a more-experienced long distance team while getting help from our field events with the throws and jumps.”
Coach Joseph, a former standout thrower at Missouri Southern, noted he’s been extremely pleased with what he’s seen during preseason practices.
“The kids are super excited and eager to get the season started,” Joseph said. “Practices have been extremely positive and everybody has bought in. I thoroughly believe that this will be a great outdoor season.
“Since the first day of practice, we have been talking about being one team, one unit,” Joseph added. For us to have a great team season it takes everybody being invested into their teammate’s events also. I think both the men and women have taken that to heart and it will translate onto the track. It should be a fun season.”
CAVALIERS BEGIN SEASON
The Thomas Jefferson track team competed at Neosho’s Harry Lineberry Open House on Friday.
For the Thomas Jefferson boys, Atteberry placed third in the 800 with a time of 2:10. Atteberry was fourth in the 1600 in 4:48, breaking his own school record.
Rincker was seventh in the 300 hurdles and ninth in the long jump.
For the Thomas Jefferson girls, Beard placed third in both the 100 and the 200, while Mueller finished third in the 800 and Hocker took third in the triple jump.
Hiebert was fourth in the 400, with Studer sixth. Mueller took fifth in the 1600, with Shifferd seventh.
Hiebert and Carlson finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the high jump. Grigg placed fifth in the shot put.
