The Thomas Jefferson Independent School boys tennis team defeated Carthage 5-4 on Monday.
The Cavaliers improved to 3-0 with the close dual victory.
The Tigers won two of the three doubles matches.
At No. 1 doubles, Thomas Jefferson’s Prithvi Nagarajan and Tyler Brouhard defeated Carthage’s Charles Snow and Silas Laytham 8-1.
Carthage’s Joshua Rivera and Danilo Lopez-Gramajo defeated TJ’s Chengle Qian and Jack Goodhue 8-5 at No. 2 doubles, while William Wallace-Eli Scott beat Sam Li-Nathaniel Curtis 8-1 at No. 3.
The Cavaliers won four of the six singles matches.
Thomas Jefferson’s Nagarajan beat Snow 8-4, Qian defeated Laytham 8-4, Brouhard topped Rivera 8-3 and Goodhue beat Lopez-Gramajo 8-1.
Carthage won the No. 5 and No. 6 singles matches, as Wallace defeated Li 8-1 and Scott beat Curtis 8-3.
Thomas Jefferson is Monett on Tuesday. Carthage (0-1) meets Carl Junction on Tuesday at the Joplin Athletic Complex.
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Joplin’s boys and Carthage’s girls captured the team championships at the 39th Carthage Track and Field Invitational on Friday at David Haffner Stadium.
Joplin’s boys won six events and finished with 177 points. Webb City (98), Willard (79) and Carthage (72.5) finished second, third and fourth. There were 14 teams in attendance.
Carthage’s girls compiled 100 points to take the team crown. Riverton (91), Joplin (89) and Webb City (85.27) were the second, third and fourth place teams. There were 15 girls teams competing.
The meet began on Thursday, was postponed due to the weather and was finished up on Friday.
JOPLIN HIGHLIGHTS
Joplin’s Tayshaun Palmer is pictured at the start of the 4×200 relay. The Eagles won the team championship at the meet. Photo by Darris Strickland.
In addition to winning six events, the Eagles were second in five events, third in five events and fourth in four others. With that, the Eagles had 20 top-four finishes.
Joplin senior standout Hobbs Campbell won two events. A future Kansas Jayhawk, Campbell won the 800 in 1:58 and the 1600 in 4:29.
Joplin sophomore sprinter Noah Soriano won two events, the 100-meter dash in 11.47 seconds and the 200 in 23.1 seconds. Soriano also finished fifth in two other events, the long jump and pole vault.
JHS senior Orion Norris crossed the line first in the 400 in 54.23 seconds and took third in the 200, while sophomore Avarus Kuhn-Wofford won the 300 hurdles in 43.2 seconds.
Joplin’s boys were second in all four relays.
The team of Tayshaun Palmer, Fredy Cerrato-Martinez, Norris and Davin Thomas took second in the 4×100, while the team of Palmer, Norris, Aidan Sampson and Thomas finished second in the 4×200.
The Eagles were also second in the 4×800 relay, with Ian Horton, Grey Edwards, Chance Tindall and Parker Durham competing. The 4×400 featuring Cerrato-Martinez, Jamohn Smith, Kuhn-Wofford and Campbell also took second.
In the field events, Dontrell Holt placed third in the shot put, while Drew and Draven VanGilder finished third and fourth, respectively, in the javelin, while Cordell Washington was third in the high jump and Neil Barstow placed third in the discus.
The Eagles showed off their depth on the track, as Horton was the runner-up in the 3200, Thomas took fourth in the 100 and sixth in the 200, Aiden Scourten took fourth in the 400, Tindall was fourth in the 3200, Edwards finished sixth in the 800 and Washington was seventh in the 300 hurdles.
Joplin’s girls won the 4×200 relay in 1:48, with Phia Vogel, Abigail Eckert, Abigayle Lowery and Brylee Strickland competing.
A freshman, Strickland won the 400 with a time of 1:02. She was also the runner-up in both the 100 and 200.
Also for the JHS girls, Allie Keizer finished third in the 800 and fourth in the 1600, Annabelle Rutledge took third in the 3200 and Kirsten Thom was fourth in the 300 hurdles.
Joplin’s Maria Loum placed fourth in the pole vault, Aubrey Strickland took fifth in the 100 hurdles and seventh in the 300 hurdles, Lowery finished fifth in the 200, Mairi Beranek took fifth in the 3200 and Claire Jasper finished seventh in the shot put.
The JHS girls finished third in the 4×400 and were sixth in the 4×100.
CARTHAGE HIGHLIGHTS
Carthage’s Katy Witherspoon hands off the baton to Maggie Boyd during the 4×800 relay. The Tigers took first place in the event and also won the meet. Photo by Jason Peake.
Carthage’s girls won three events, including two relays. The Tigers were second in three events and took fourth in five other events for 11 top-four finishes.
The invite hosts won the 4×800 relay in 11:12, with Lauren Choate, Grace Brown, Katy Witherspoon and Maggie Boyd competing.
Carthage’s 4×400 relay team of Aven Willis, Evelyn Carrol, Boyd and Lexa Youngblood took first in 4:25.
The team of Ashlyn Brust, Youngblood, Willis and Joey Hettinger finished fourth in the 4×100 relay, while the Tigers were fifth in the 4×200, with Willis, Ashleigh Rowden, Brust and Ada Roughton competing.
Carthage’s Karlie Nichols won the discus and took fourth in the shot put, while Hettinger took second in the high jump and Lilly Holmes was the runner-up in the shot put.
Youngblood took second in the 400 and also placed fourth in the 100, Witherspoon was fourth in the 3200, Boyd finished fourth in the 800, Roughton was fourth in the triple jump, Jaidyn Brunnert was seventh in the 100 hurdles, Willis was seventh in the 200 and Hettinger was seventh in the long jump.
Carthage’s boys won the 4×400 relay in 3:35, with Braxton McBride, Miguel Solano, Daryl Martin and Joseph Childs competing.
Martin and Trenton Yates placed second and third in the 110 hurdles. Martin was also the runner-up in the 300 hurdles. Solano took second in the 800 and was fourth in the 1600.
Micah Lindsey finished fourth in the shot put and the discus, with Neil Barstow seventh in the same event. Caleb Fewin placed sixth in the 3200 and Yates tied for seventh in the high jump.
The CHS boys finished fifth in the 4×100 relay.
WEBB CITY HIGHLIGHTS
Webb City’s boys won four events.
Webb City senior Abi Street won two events at the Carthage Invitational, the 1600 and the 3200. Photo by Darris Strickland.
Justin Allen and Grayson Smith finished first and second in the pole vault, with Jadon Brisco fourth in the same event.
Trey Roets won the javelin, while Evan Stevens took first in the 3200 and was also third in the 1600.
Webb City’s 4×100 relay featuring Jordan Thornburg, William Headrick, Joseph DeGraffenreid and Breckin Galardo took first in 44.44 seconds.
Also for the Cardinals, Mason Hedger placed third in the 3200, Noah Moss finished fourth in the 110 hurdles and fifth in the 300 hurdles, while DeGraffenreid took fourth in the high jump, Gabe Johnson was fifth in the 100 and Joshua White was seventh in the 200.
The Cardinals were fourth in the 4×400.
For the Webb City girls, senior standout distance runner Abi Street won a pair of events, the 1600 with a time of 5:36 and the 3200 in 11:53.
Dawsyn Decker won the javelin and was fifth in the shot put, while Brooke Hedger took second in the 800 and was sixth in the 1600 and Emily Countryman was the runner-up in the 3200.
Also, Essence Robinson took second in the long jump and finished third in the 400, Chase Stilley placed fourth in the 200 and Bryleigh Webb was sixth in the javelin.
Carl Junction’s Sydney Ward wins the 100-meter dash on Thursday at the Carthage Invitational. Also pictured is Joplin’s Brylee Strickland, who took second. Photo by Darris Strickland.
CARL JUNCTION HIGHLIGHTS
Carl Junction sophomore sprinter Sydney Ward won two events, the 100-meter dash in 12.64 seconds and the 200 in 26.35.
Madilyn Olds was the runner-up in the javelin, Brooke Jasperson and Acadia Badgley were second and third in the pole vault and Sloan Uebinger placed third in the 100 hurdles.
Carl Junction’s 4×100 relay took third and featured Olivia Battagler, Mya Thomure, Hannah Cantrell and Ward. The team of Battagler, Zoie Weibel, Mya Thomure and Ward finished fourth in the 4×200.
Carl Junction’s boys were seventh in the 4×100, with Colton Talken, Ryder Pyles, Dexter Merrell and Jaxton Wobken competing.
NEOSHO HIGHLIGHTS
Neosho senior Jared Siler won the high jump and the long jump. In fact, Siler and teammate Isaiah Green finished first and second in the long jump, and Siler and Green were also second and third in the triple jump.
Tyrese Hill was the runner-up in the 100. Carter Baslee finished fifth in the discus and Cade Camerer tied for seventh in the high jump.
For the Neosho girls, Riley Kemna and Chloe Wood finished third and fifth, respectively, in the 1600, Jazmyn Washington was third in the high jump, Kaylee Schibi finished fourth in the discus and Kailyn Daniels placed sixth in the pole vault.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Monett’s Konner Poynter won the 110 hurdles and Lamar’s Tyson Williams won the discus.
East Newton’s Chase Sorrell was the runner-up in the 1600.
McDonald County’s Joshua Pacheco took third in the 100, while Andrew Moritz finished sixth in the javelin.
The Mustangs were fifth in both the 4×800 (Hunter Leach, Dalton McClain, Devon Hickman and Tyler Rothrock) and the 4×200 (Dominic Cervantes, Aidrian Short, McClain, Esteban Martinez-Olvera).
McDonald County’s girls finished third in the 4×800 relay, with Clara Horton, Madison Burton, Kate Cheney and Anna Price running. Mac County’s Anissa Ramirez took fifth in the girls javelin.
RECOGNITION
Carthage took a moment at the meet to recognize Roger Kirby on 40 years of officiating track meets in Carthage.
Carthage Invitational
Boys team scores: Joplin 177, Webb City 98, Willard 79, Carthage 72.5, Lamar 68, Neosho 62.5, Marshfield 47, Nevada 25, Grove 25, Riverton 20, McDonald County 19, East Newton 16, Monett 13, Carl Junction 8.
Girls team scores: Carthage 100, Riverton 91, Joplin 89, Webb City 85.27, Marshfield 80.53, Carl Junction 64, Willard 49, Grove 46, Lamar 31, Neosho 29, Nevada 14.54, McDonald County 11.54, Pittsburg 11.27, Monett 8.81, East Newton 1.
Above and below, runners compete in the 4×800 relay on Thursday at the Carthage Invitational. Photo by Jason Peake.
The Carthage Invitational track meet was held Thursday and Friday at David Haffner Stadium. Pictured above is the girls 100-meter dash, which was won by Carl Junction’s Sydney Ward. Carthage’s Lexa Youngblood (far left) finished fifth, while Joplin’s Brylee Strickland (second from left) took second and Joplin’s Abigayle Lowery (far right) took eighth. Photo by Jason Peake.
Carl Junction’s Sloan Uebinger finished third in the 100 hurdles. Photo by Darris Strickland.
Joplin’s boys track team won the Carthage Invitational. The Eagles are pictured above competing in the 4×800 relay.
NEVADA, Mo. — The Carthage Tigers fell into a 6-0 hole entering the fourth inning during their game Thursday against host Nevada at historic Lyons Stadium.
Nevada sophomore pitcher Caden Klumpp allowed no hits over the first three innings and juniors Mason Adams and Bradyn Tate reached on consecutive walks in the third for Carthage’s first and second baserunners of the contest.
Nevada scored one in the first on a Kennedy D’Elia RBI single and then five in the third with RBI singles from D’Elia and Hunter Seaver amidst the damage.
Carthage responded with four runs in the fourth and two in the sixth to earn a tie score and sophomore Nolan Brown pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief before Nevada earned a 7-6 walkoff victory.
Junior outfielder Austin Mitchell broke up Klumpp’s no hitter with a bloop single to left, then freshman Cooper Lilienkamp delivered a three-run double and sophomore Taylor Stevens-Diggs a RBI double to start the scoring for Carthage.
“It’s frustrating as a coach because you want to be able to do that from inning one and put some pressure on them,” Carthage coach Luke Bordewick said. “We did a good job seeing pitches and it got his pitch count a little bit. That’s when we started pouncing a little bit. He had a no hitter through three. That’s not good either.
“Cooper, a big-time player. He elevates his game in those moments. He’s had a couple bases-clearing doubles for us so far this year. That was the right guy in the right spot. Baseball gods will find you if you’re there long enough.”
Brown relieved Carthage sophomore Brady Carlton, who allowed six runs over 2 1/3 innings, and retired Cade Beshore and University of Nebraska baseball commit Case Sanderson in the third to limit the damage to 6-0.
Brown retired the side in order in the fourth, pitched through one Nevada runner in the fifth, and turned a nifty 1-4 double play to end the sixth. He snagged a D’Elia line drive and doubled up Ketterman at second.
“He did a great job,” Bordewick said. “We have a shorter week in terms of varsity games this week. He’s usually a starter. Him and Brady both needed to see some innings. Brady started, he did okay, he didn’t have the best command with his stuff, and we put Nolan out there and said, ‘Stop it here.’ He did for the most part before that last inning. He stopped it and threw a lot of strikes for us.”
In the bottom of the seventh, Graham Walker singled and went to second on Seaver’s sacrifice bunt. Barrett Nadurata and Blake Woods recorded back-to-back singles, but Walker was thrown out at home. Next, Carthage was unable to corral Cade Beshore’s grounder, allowing the winning run to score.
Brown took a hard-luck loss, and he allowed one run (unearned) on six hits with three strikeouts and one walk over 4 1/3 innings.
Carlton allowed six runs (four earned) on seven hits with one strikeout and three walks over his 2 1/3 innings of work.
Brown and Carlton each finished at 64 pitches.
Nevada hit 13 singles on Thursday with three by Ketterman, two each by D’Elia and Walker, and one each by Sanderson, Klumpp, Seaver, Nadurata, Brice Budd, and seventh inning pinch-hitter Woods.
Carthage finished with five hits against Nevada pitchers Klumpp, Ketterman, and Walker with Lilienkamp and Stevens-Diggs responsible for the game’s lone extra-base hits.
Mitchell, Langston Morgan, and Adams each collected singles for the visiting Tigers.
Tate, Drew Musche, Mitchell, Morgan, Lilienkamp, and Adams each scored one of Carthage’s six runs.
Carthage dropped to 1-7 overall and the Tigers will look to end their losing streak at seven games Tuesday when they host the Seneca Indians at Wendell Redden Stadium within the Joplin Athletic Complex.
“We’re a young and inexperienced group at the varsity level,” Bordewick said. “This is a game where they walked it off, but hopefully we’ll take something from it that will help us not let it happen next time.”
CARTHAGE, Mo. — The Carthage Tigers had several opportunities to score throughout the match, especially during the final 10 minutes of regulation, but they could not break through and net that first goal against Springfield Central sophomore goalkeeper Addie Green and took a 1-0 loss on Wednesday evening at David Haffner Stadium.
Carthage coach Taylor Beck focused on the Tigers’ effort over the final 10 minutes and how it could impact their season moving forward.
“I’ve said it all in the interviews,” Beck said. “They have grit. They just have to be able to give it to me for 80 minutes of the game and not 10.
“Their keeper was good. She was tall and she was all over the place. At halftime, I told them to keep it low and I feel like in the second half we tried keeping it low, but she’s a good keeper and it was hard to get it past her. Unfortunately, we couldn’t.”
Carthage senior forward Daniela Marquez, freshman forward Ashtyn Cross and senior Kianna Yates all just missed connecting on goals.
For example, with 4 minutes and 15 seconds remaining in regulation, Marquez nearly took advantage of Green being slightly out of position and looped a ball over Green’s head that went tantalizingly wide of the goal.
Green made a save earlier against Marquez and denied Cross a potential follow-up shot, and Yates later had a potential shot on goal blocked.
The Tigers’ defense kept Central from adding on to a 1-0 lead the Bulldogs took in the first half on a goal by junior Cate Casanova.
“I commend our keepers and our back line,” Beck said. “We’re a young team, so I was moving everybody in and out. A lot of people, a lot of kids, played positions they’ve never played before tonight and that just shows me that they care. They don’t give me any back talk, they just say ‘Alright, whatever you say Coach.’ I appreciate that from them. If they continue that and we have versatile players, we’ll go far.”
Carthage dropped to 1-2 overall so far early in the season and the Tigers’ 1-0 loss Wednesday follows a 4-3 overtime loss at home Tuesday against Springdale (Ark.) Har-Ber.
“I told them these games definitely matter, but this is practice for when we get to the big games,” Beck said. “Obviously, our conference games we’re looking forward to and then we’ve never made it past the first round of districts. They’re determined to make it past the first round and playing close games like these will help us. That was a good team, so I’m proud of them for holding them 1-0.”
The Tigers return to action Friday on the road against Glendale, the returning state runner-up in Class 3.
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Joplin’s Harry Satterlee earned medalist honors and Carl Junction captured the team title in a boys golf quadrangular on Wednesday at Briarbrook Golf Course.
A junior at JHS, Satterlee posted a 3-under-par 33 to claim top individual honors.
One stroke back was Carl Junction sophomore Jack Spencer, who was the runner-up with a 2-under 34.
Carl Junction had a four-person score of 154, while Joplin was second with a 162. Carthage and Webb City both had a 163.
Also shooting in the 30s were Carl Junction’s Jacob Teeter (38), Carthage’s Max Templeman (38), Webb City’s Braxten Cahoon (39) and Joplin’s Ian Surbrugg (39). Teeter and Templeman tied for third place.
Also competing for Carl Junction were Tommy Walker (40), Logan Lowry (42) and Zach Merwin (49).
Hobbs Campbell (43), Dylan Bozarth (47) and Taylor McMillian (48) also competed for Joplin.
Also competing for Carthage were Britt Coy (41), Colson Brust (42), Owen Derryberry (42) and Ben Nicholas (46).
Levi Lassiter (41), Jack Good (41), Cooper Forth (42) and Carson Judd (43) also competed for Webb City.
It was the third straight day the four teams competed against each other.
Carthage won the team titles on Monday (Twin Hills) and Tuesday (Carthage Golf Course) before the Bulldogs won on their home course on Wednesday.
Area squads will compete at the Joplin Invitational on April 6 at Twin Hills.
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Max Templeman and the Carthage Tigers are now 2-for-2 this spring.
For the second straight day, Templeman earned medalist honors while leading Carthage’s boys golf team to a quadrangular victory over Carl Junction, Webb City and Joplin.
A senior at CHS, Templeman carded a 32 on Tuesday at the Carthage Golf Course. He was also the medalist on Monday at Twin Hills.
Competing on their home course, the Tigers finished with a four-person score of 144 to claim a second straight team title. Carl Junction finished with a 157, while Webb City had a 159 and Joplin had a 164.
After Templeman, Webb City’s Braxten Cahoon carded a 34 to claim the individual runner-up honors.
Three golfers turned in identical scores of 36 to tie for third place — Joplin’s Harry Satterlee and Carthage’s duo of Owen Derryberry and Britt Coy.
Three athletes shot 38—Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell, Carl Junction’s Logan Lowry and Webb City’s Cooper Forth.
Also competing for Carthage were Ben Nicholas (40) and Colson Brust (41).
Also competing for Carl Junction were Jacob Teeter (39), Tommy Walker (40), Zach Merwin (40) and Jack Spencer (41).
Levi Lassiter (42), Jackson Lucas (45) and Carson Judd (46) also competed for Webb City.
Dylan Bozarth (45), Ian Surbrugg (45) and Taylor McMillian (47) also competed for Joplin.
The same four teams will compete again on Wednesday at Briarbrook Golf Course.
Max Templeman earned medalist honors and led Carthage to a team victory in a boys golf quadrangular on Monday at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club.
In the opener of the 2023 season, Carthage had a four-person team score of 166, while Carl Junction had a 171, Joplin recorded a 172 and Webb City finished with a 177.
A senior, Templeman carded a 1-over-par 37 to take first place individually.
Joplin junior Harry Satterlee and Carl Junction sophomore Jack Spencer both turned in identical scores of 38 and tied for second place honors.
Carthage’s Britt Coy shot a 40, good for fourth place individually after Templeman, Satterlee and Spencer.
Carl Junction’s Tommy Walker carded 41 and finished in fifth place.
Joplin’s Hobbs Campbell, Webb City’s Braxten Cahoon and Carl Junction’s Jacob Teeter tied for sixth place with identical scores of 42.
All five of Carthage’s golfers shot 45 or under. Also competing for the Tigers were Owen Derryberry (44), Colson Brust (45) and Ben Nicholas (45).
Also competing for the Bulldogs were Logan Lowry (50) and Zach Merwin (51).
Joplin’s Ian Surbrugg shot 45 and Dylan Bozarth turned in a 47. Also competing for the Eagles was Taylor McMillian (55).
Also competing for Webb City were Jackson Lucas (44), Cooper Forth (45), Carson Judd (46) and Levi Lassiter (46).
The same four teams will compete again on Tuesday at the Carthage Golf Course and again on Wednesday at Briarbrook.
After 21 successful years in charge of the Carthage High School wrestling program, Kenny Brown is stepping down.
Brown confirmed his time in charge of the CHS wrestling program has come to an end during a speech at his team’s end of the season banquet.
“It has been a wonderful 21 years as the head wrestling coach of Carthage High School,” Brown said in his speech. “I know that when I was awarded the job, there were a lot of people concerned about what would happen with Carthage wrestling after Coach (Bob) Holman stepped down. I hope I didn’t disappoint them. It is never an easy decision to leave a program that means so much to you. I grew up in Kirksville, wrestled youth in Kirksville and medaled at state for Kirksville, but I am now and always will be a part of Carthage wrestling before anywhere else.”
Kenny Brown
Among those who Brown thanked during his speech were Bob Brown, Ray Harding and Holman.
“Bob Brown, thank you so much for convincing me to take the job,” Kenny Brown said in his prepared statement. “Ray Harding, I have told you multiple times, but it needs repeated. Thank you for being willing to take a chance on a young coach with a passion for wrestling who didn’t have head coaching experience.
“Bob Holman…I can’t say enough about Coach Holman,” Brown continued. “He handed over the keys to a kingdom. I was lucky enough to take over a program that was already established as one of the best in the area, and that is a testament to Coach Holman. Carthage wrestling is where it is today because of the groundwork laid by him.”
In addition to thanking his former assistants, managers, administrators, trainers, parents, bus drivers, the booster club, youth coaches and alumni, Brown also thanked his wife, Crystal, and his daughter, Morgan.
“Every year, I would ask Morgan if she wanted me to quit because I was gone so much,” Coach Brown commented. “Luckily for me, her answer was always no. She liked the fact that her dad was the Carthage wrestling coach. She actually got mad when she thought there was a chance that I wouldn’t be the coach for her senior year.
“Finally, Crystal. When I started dating her, she had never even been to a wrestling match. Now she is what one would call a zealot when it comes to wrestling. This program would be a shell of what it is now without her. This has always been a team effort in what we do. She is as much a part of this as I have been. A lot of the extra things we do to make this a special experience for the boys come from her rounding off my rough edges.”
Carthage went 176-49 in duals during Brown’s tenure, with an impressive 285-93 overall record with dual tournaments included.
The Tigers had numerous state medalists under Brown’s direction, including state champions Kale Schrader (2019) and Austen Heidlage (2008).
The Carthage High School girls track and field squad features 55 total athletes, 16 returning athletes, and 20 newcomers for head coach Nicole Sipes.
“The girls have been really focused and motivated in their practices so far this season,” Sipes told SoMo Sports. “There has been a lot of mentoring by upperclassmen and returning athletes with our incoming freshman group. They are really leading by example. Newcomers are excited and challenged by learning new things and competing at a high level. There has been great positivity and motivation by the group as a whole.
“We are very optimistic for our upcoming season and have been working hard to carry on the tradition of our successful track and field program. We are very excited about our large turnout of athletes joining our team this year and hope our numbers and hard work ethic will help us compete at a high level. We have several experienced upperclassmen and a talented sophomore group who will lead by example for our competitive freshman group coming out this year.”
Carthage’s returners are seniors Lilly Homes (throws, sectional qualifier), Maddy Lee (throws), and Joey Hettinger (jumps, district champ and state qualifier in high jump last season, signed with Central Missouri for track and field), juniors Trisha Kanas (sprints, jumps) and Jenna Wilson (distance), and sophomores Karlie Nichols (throws), Millie Templeman (jumps), Ashlyn Brust (sprints, sectional qualifier), Lexa Youngblood (sprints, sectional qualifier), Aven Willis (sprints, sectional qualifier), Jaidyn Brunnert (hurdles), Jordyn Childs (throws), Maggie Boyd (distance, sectional qualifier), Grace Brown (distance, sectional qualifier), Katy Witherspoon (distance) and Kailyn Shultz (sprints).
The Tigers also feature a large group of promising newcomers, including sophomore Lauren Choate (mid-distance, jumps).
“We had a huge turnout of girls come out this year,” Sipes said. “Great for the program. As always our team goals are to win our home meets, conference and district and qualify as many as possible to sectionals and state. Individually, we want every kid to improve, whether she is the No. 1 in that event or the No. 10. The great thing about track and field is that everyone can participate, and in some way, she can contribute to the team.
“Stay healthy, be unselfish and accept what is best for the good of the team and work hard every single day. If we accomplish those things, we will be competitive. Our focus this year is getting better every day. The rest will take care of itself.”
The Tigers opened their 2023 season Wednesday by winning McDonald County’s Ebenee Munoz Memorial Stampede with 197.5 team points, 63.5 more points than runner-up Monett.
Youngblood won individual titles in the 100-meter dash (12.71 seconds) and the 400 (1:02) and participated in the 4×100 (52.22) and the 4×400 (4:21).
Hettinger (long jump), Karlie Nichols (discus), Holmes (shot put), and Boyd (1600) also won individual titles in their respective events.
The 4×200 and the 4×800 also finished second, as did Brunnert in the triple jump and the 100 hurdles, Hettinger in the high jump, Katy Witherspoon in the 3200, and Karlie Nichols in the shot put.
Brunnert finished third in the 300 hurdles, Willis placed third in the 200, and Carrol also finished third in the high jump.
Carthage’s schedule continues with the Carthage Invitational (March 30), Parkview Girls Night Out (April 5), Joplin Invitational (April 12), KU Relays (April 14-15), the Carl Junction Invitational (April 21), and the Girard Invitational (April 28).
The Tigers have the Central Ozark Conference meet (April 24), the Class 5 District 6 meet (May 13), sectionals (May 20), and possibly state (May 26-27) to close out their season.
ANDERSON, Mo. — In the opener of the 2023 track and field season, Carthage’s girls and boys both captured the team championships at McDonald County’s Ebenee Munoz Memorial Stampede on Wednesday.
Carthage’s girls compiled 197.5 team points to finish on top of the standings. Monett (134) and Cassville (103) were second and third, with McDonald County (93.5) fourth.
Carthage’s boys took first in the team standings with 187 points. East Newton was second with 105, Cassville was third with 101 and Monett was fourth with 100.
GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS
Carthage’s Lexa Youngblood had a memorable start to her sophomore season, as she won two individual events and was also part of two winning relays.
Youngblood took first in both the 100-meter dash (12.71 seconds) and the 400-meter dash (1:02).
Also winning individual events for Carthage were Joey Hettinger (long jump), Karlie Nichols (discus), Lilly Holmes (shot put) and Maggie Boyd (1600).
In the 4×100 relay, Carthage’s team of Alexis Patrick, Youngblood, Aven Willis and Hettinger took first in 52.22 seconds.
The Tigers also won the 4×400 relay in 4:21, with Willis, Evelyn Carrol, Boyd and Youngblood competing.
The Tigers were second in the 4×800 relay, with Grace Brown, Katy Witherspoon, Lauren Choate and Boyd competing. Carthage was also second in the 4×200 relay, with Willis, Trisha Kanas, Kamryn Dininger and Patrick running.
Carthage’s Jaidyn Brunnert took second in both the triple jump and the 100 hurdles and she was third in the 300 hurdles.
Also taking second in their individual events were Hettinger (high jump), Witherspoon (3200) and Nichols (shot put). Willis placed third in the 200 and Carrol finished third in the high jump.
College Heights Christian’s Jesi Bever was second in the long jump and fourth in the 100 hurdles, while teammate Maddy Colin placed fourth in the high jump.
Also for CHC, Jayli Johnson and Lauren Ukena finished third and fourth in the 100, while Marla Anderegg placed fourth in the 1600 and fifth in the 800.
The Cougars placed third in the 4×800, with Johnson, Anderegg, Amelia Hagale and Ukena competing.
Jasper sophomore Crystal Smith had a big meet, as she won four individual events—the high jump, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles and the 200-meter dash.
Other individual event winners in the girls meet were Cassville’s Annie Moore (pole vault) and Jolie Evans (800), Monett’s Addalyn Brownlee (triple jump) and Sadie Camp (3200) and McDonald County’s Anissa Ramirez (javelin).
McDonald County’s Analisa Ramirez was the runner-up in the javelin, while Anna Price took third in the pole vault and Peyton Cooper was third in the discus.
BOYS HIGHLIGHTS
Winning individual events for Carthage were Miguel Solano (400), Daryl Martin (300 hurdles), Haydon Cooper (pole vault) and Micah Lindsey (shot put).
Carthage’s Trenton Yates finished second in three events—the 110 hurdles, high jump and triple jump. Yates was third in the 300 hurdles.
Also taking second for the Tigers were Braxton McBride (100), Solano (1600), Devin Smith (3200), and Kruz Castor (long jump). Caleb Fewin finished third in the 3200 and Solano was third in the 800.
Carthage finished second in the 4×400, with Castor, Jackson Hettinger, Darrin Witt and Jonah Eby competing.
The Tigers also placed second in the 4×800 (Trey Nye, Skuylor Honeycutt, Michael Lanyon, Fewin).
McDonald County’s Josh Pacheco (long jump, triple jump) and Andrew Moritz (javelin) claimed first-place finishes for the Mustangs.
The Mustangs won the 4×100 relay (Samuel Barton, Dalton McClain, Tucker Dill, Esteban Martinez-Olvera) and the 4×200 relay (Martinez-Olvera, Aidrian Short, McClain, Pacheco).
Cassville won the 4×400 (Charles Elliott, Caleb Leach, Peter Littlefield, Jacob Martinez) and the 4×800 (Elliott, Matteo Lumetta, Martinez, Caleb Leach).
Monett’s Konner Poynter had a memorable meet, winning the 100, 200 and 110 hurdles.
Other individual event winners were Monett’s Julio Cruz (3200) and East Newton’s Chase Sorrell (800, 1600), Michael Crowe (high jump) and Dominic Shaw (discus).
College Heights’ top finish came in the 4×200 relay, as the team of Colsen Dickens, Derek Bowman, Ethan Ukena and Logan Decker took second.
Also for the CHC boys, Dickens finished third in the 400, Caleb Quade placed third in the high jump, Decker finished fourth in the long jump, Ukena took fourth in the triple jump and fifth in the 200 and Ian Edwards was sixth in the 110 hurdles.
The Cougars were fifth in the 4×100 relay and sixth in the 4×800.
McDonald County Ebenee Munoz Memorial Stampede
Girls team standings: Carthage 197.5, Monett 134, Cassville 103, McDonald County 93.5, Jasper 65, College Heights Christian 51, East Newton 22, Southwest 20, Wheaton 10.
Boys team standings: Carthage 187, East Newton 105, Cassville 101, Monett 100, McDonald County 94, Jasper 67, College Heights 48, Southwest 21, Gentry 6, Wheaton 5.
After graduating 10 seniors from a year ago, the Carthage Tigers baseball program is tasked with reloading talent on the fly in order to compete for a conference and district title in the upcoming 2023 season.
“We graduated 10 seniors last year so there will be a lot of inexperience with this group,” Carthage coach Luke Bordewick said to SoMo Sports. “I think our young players are excited to contribute at the varsity level and have a great passion and work ethic for baseball. We have seen a lot of progress so far in our early practices and getting those inexperienced players live game reps is the most important. I think we will have a very competitive season like we have for the past couple of years. Last year, we had a ton of close games and a ton of extra-inning marathons. We just need to grow and learn how to close those games out.”
Despite the large turnover on the varsity roster, the excitement level and anticipation for the upcoming season is quite high for Carthage thanks to the returning group as well as the talent level of the newcomers.
The Tigers welcome back senior catcher Clay Kinder and senior IF Drew Musche as well as junior P/IFs Bradyn Tate and Ty Perry. Joining the four returners are senior P/OF Atlas Horine, junior OF Austin Mitchell, junior P Brodie Cole, junior IF Mason Adams, sophomore OF Langston Morgan, sophomore P/IF Brady Carlton and sophomore P/IF Nolan Brown.
“I believe we are very excited,” Bordewick added. “So far this spring, we have been working hard in practice and developing as a team. We have a very competitive schedule and will play a lot of great teams. We are ready to get going.”
The Tigers will be relying on their team speed as well as the effort on the defensive end of the diamond to lead the way in the upcoming season. In fact, quality play on defense will be the best way to ease the inexperience pitchers into the varsity game.
“I believe we can put together a great defensive unit behind our pitchers,” Bordewick said. “We need more game reps to get some of our young infielders up to speed, but as the season progresses, we should be a good defensive team. I also believe we can put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses with our speed in our lineup.”
With inexperience comes areas of focus that will need to see improvement as the season progresses. For Carthage, those areas will be at the plate and on the mound.
“The areas we need to improve upon are our pitching and hitting,” Bordewick said. “We have some quality arms and bats we can put out there, but they are very inexperienced at the varsity level. Getting them some innings and at-bats at a high level is going to be the only way to improve upon that.
Carthage opens the season with a doubleheader against East Carter and Portageville in Ellsinore, Missouri, on Saturday.
OF NOTE: The Tigers open at home against Monett on March 21. Carthage will be playing it’s home games at Joe Becker Stadium and Wendell Redden Stadium this season.
NIXA, Mo. — Top-seeded Republic suffocated eighth-seeded Joplin early on the way to building a big lead the Tigers never relinquished in the opening-round win of the Class 6 District 5 tournament hosted by Nixa High School.
Republic (24-3) went to work early, building a 21-2 lead after the first quarter. The Tigers pushed the lead to 29 by halftime and limited the Eagles offensively to 10 points in the second half.
Joplin closes the season with a 4-23 record and graduates seniors Serafina Auberry, Brynn Driver, Izzy Yust and Jill McDaniel.
Molly Blades led Republic with 18 points, while Kaemyn Bekemeier finished with 16 points. Lanney Strong, Alainna Norman each finished with eight points.
Auberry finished with 12 points to lead the Eagles. Maria Loum and Bailey Ledford had four points each.
Republic advances to take on fifth-seeded Ozark in the district semifinals on Saturday.
KICKAPOO GIRLS 64, CARTHAGE 40
NIXA, Mo. — Third-seeded Kickapoo started fast and didn’t look back in an opening-round win over sixth-seeded Carthage in the Class 6 District 5 tournament on Thursday.
The Chiefs (21-6) jumped out to a 22-5 lead after the first quarter and led by 22 at the intermission. Kickapoo added to its lead in the third quarter and finished off the win in the final eight minutes.
“Kickapoo came out and hit shots early and often in the first quarter,” Carthage coach Scott Moore said to SoMo Sports. “Unfortunately, we did not. When we missed, they turned it into a track meet and we couldn’t get back quickly enough to stop them. I thought we settled in and played much better the final three quarters, but it’s hard to overcome a 17-point first quarter deficit to a good team like Kickapoo.”
The Tigers finish the season with a 12-15 record and graduate seniors Kianna Yates, the program’s all-time leading scorer, and Landry Cochran.
“I’m really proud of our two seniors,” Moore said. “They have been leaders on the court, in the classroom and in the community for four years. They are very beloved within our program and their legacy will last a long time in Carthage. They will be greatly missed by their teammates, their coaches and the Lady Tigers fans.”
Lauren Choate led Carthage with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Yates finished with 10 points.
Mikayla Pilley had 22 points to lead Kickapoo, while Miya Nieto had 11 points and three 3-pointers.
Kickapoo advances to take on second-seeded Nixa in the district semifinals at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
NIXA GIRLS 65, NEOSHO 30
NIXA, Mo. — Second-seeded Nixa jumped out in front of seventh-seeded Neosho and cruised to an opening-round win in district action.
The Wildcats finished the season with a 10-17 record and graduate seniors Meredith Baldwin, Karlee Ellick, Maelynn Garrett, Reagan McInturff and Raine Harris.
Neosho, Carthage fall in Class 6 District 5 quarterfinals
OZARK, Mo. — The sixth-seeded Neosho Wildcats traded punches with the third-seeded and sixth-ranked Republic Tigers for the first two quarters of their Class 6 District 5 quarterfinal contest on Wednesday night.
Sparked by senior Isaiah Green, who had eight points in the first quarter and 14 overall in the first half, Neosho led 13-12 after one quarter and earned a 24-all halftime score.
Unfortunately, though for the Wildcats, Republic caught fire in the second half and doubled up Neosho after halftime on the way to a 56-40 win.
Neosho senior Kael Smith’s basket maintained the tie score early in the second half at 26, but Republic went on an 11-1 run, including nine unanswered, to go ahead with the first double-digit lead of the night at 37-27. The Tigers then entered the fourth leading 40-31 behind their 16-7 advantage in the third.
Republic threatened pushing the lead out to 20 in the fourth, but the damage had already been done.
Green finished the night with a game-high 25 points, which turned out to be 62.5 percent of the Wildcats’ point production Wednesday night.
Smith added seven points and Collier Hendricks and Jared Siler finished with four each.
Neosho ends the season 19-8 overall and seniors Green, Smith, Siler, Carter Baslee, Michael Day, Carter Fenske, and Brock Franklin played their final high school games.
“We are really proud of this senior group and the guys below them this year,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said. “Just an unbelievable season and the group of seniors that really helped change the program. The best season we’ve had in the last two decades. Most wins since 2003, most Central Ozark Conference wins ever (six), and highest finish in the COC (fourth). These seniors will be very missed and their impact on the program will be lasting.”
The Wildcats earned back-to-back winning seasons and posted a 36-19 overall record.
Republic improved to 24-3 overall and the Tigers will face second-seeded Kickapoo in the semifinals Friday.
Kickapoo 74, Carthage 54
The Carthage Tigers saw their season end at 14-12 overall after their 74-54 loss Wednesday in the Class 6 District 5 quarterfinals against No. 2 seed Kickapoo.
Kickapoo built a 40-18 halftime lead behind a 25-8 advantage in the second quarter, including 16 of the final 19 points before the half.
Carthage outscored Kickapoo 27-22 in the third quarter and knocked five points off that halftime deficit.
Kickapoo extended the lead back out to 20 over the final eight minutes.
Max Templeman paced Carthage with a team-high 17 points, Justin Ray added 16, Britt Coy hit a team-high three 3-pointers on his way to 11 points, Clay Kinder scored five points, Trent Yates had three points, and Kruz Castor rounded out the Tigers’ scoring with two points.
Templeman, Coy, and Kinder, as well as fellow senior Ben Nicholas, each played their final high school games.
Harrison Doennig scored a game-high 24 points to spark the Chiefs, Trae Oetting finished with 17, Brayden Shorter netted 16, Jackson Shorter added 11, and Mason Robb, Shaun Campbell, and Landon Keisker each had two points.
Carthage finished with a winning record in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2010-11.
NEVADA 51, CLINTON 36
PLEASANT HILL, Mo. — The Nevada Tigers advanced to the championship game of the Class 4 District 13 tournament by beating Clinton 51-36 on Wednesday night in the tourney’s semifinals.
The Tigers led 19-7 at the end of the first quarter and 35-22 at halftime. Nevada’s lead was 41-24 at the end of the third period.
Cade Beshore scored 15 points and hit four 3-pointers to lead Nevada, while Drew Beachler and Brice Budd added 10 points apiece.
No. 1 seed Nevada will meet second-seeded Barstow at 7 on Friday night for the district crown.
SENECA 51, MONETT 46
MONETT, Mo. — The Seneca Indians secured a spot in the championship game of the Class 4 District 12 tournament by holding off Monett on Wednesday night.
The Indians went 7-for-7 at the foul line in the fourth quarter to seal the close win over the Cubs.
Morgan Vaughn scored 26 points to lead Seneca, while Ian Waterman scored 12 points for Monett.
Top-seeded Seneca meets second-seeded Aurora at 6 p.m. on Friday for the district title.
Aurora hammered third-seeded Cassville 60-36 in the other semifinal.
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The McDonald County Mustangs, the Carl Junction Bulldogs and the Neosho Wildcats all finished in the top 10 of the team standings as the 2023 MSHSAA Boys Wrestling Championships wrapped up on Saturday night at Mizzou Arena.
McDonald County and Carl Junction finished in fifth and sixth in Class 3 with 88 and 83 points, respectively, while Neosho finished seventh in Class 4 with 77 points.
McDonald County juniors Samuel Murphy (215 pounds) and Jayce Hitt (285) each won state titles at their respective weights Saturday night.
Murphy (44-1) defeated Branson’s Cade Grimm on a 6-1 sudden victory for the state title one week after Murphy defeated Grimm with a sudden victory for the district crown. Earlier in the semifinals Saturday, Murphy won a 3-2 ultimate tie-breaker against Willard’s Alex Nunez.
Hitt (26-0) pinned DeSoto’s Isaac Foeller in 1 minute and 42 seconds in the championship match and won 7-3 against Grandview’s Derek Joiner in the semifinals.
McDonald County seniors Blaine Ortiz (138) and Colter Vick (175) closed out their prep careers with state medals, Ortiz finishing third and Vick sixth.
Ortiz (43-7) rebounded with two victories after losing 3-0 in the semifinals against Whitfield’s A.J. Rallo, winning a 6-1 sudden victory against Bolivar’s Cooper Moore for third and a 6-4 decision against Jefferson City’s Braden Werdehausen in the consolation semis.
Vick (35-14) lost 5-0 against Willard’s Jase Motlagh in his final high school match.
Carl Junction will return home with five state medalists, including two state runners-up in junior Sam Melton (120) and sophomore Tony Stewart (165).
Melton (43-6) lost 7-0 against North Point’s Kaden Purler in the championship match, while Stewart (41-12) lost by pinfall against Hillsboro’s Griffin Ray in his title match.
Carl Junction’s Carter Foglesong (41-6) and Lukas Walker (46-3) placed fourth at 106 and 113 and Cayden Bolinger (31-15) finished sixth at 285.
Webb City’s lone state qualifier, junior Colt Taylor, lost both his matches at 132 on Friday and finished his season 28-19 overall.
In Class 4, Neosho earned four state medals with Carter Howard (138) and Eli Zar (165) taking second, Nico Olivares (285) fourth, and Collyn Kivett (157) fifth.
Howard lost by pinfall against Liberty’s Christopher Coates, now a three-time state champion, in the championship match and finished his freshman season 21-6 overall.
Zar (48-3) closed out his outstanding high school wrestling career with a 7-2 tie-breaker loss against Francis Howell Central’s Aidan Hernandez.
Olivares and Kivett finished their senior seasons 36-6 and 38-9 overall, respectively.
Carthage finished 18th overall in Class 4 with 34 points and the Tigers bring home three state medals with Davion King (30-4) in fourth at 165 and Bradyn Tate (48-8) and Grey Petticrew (32-12) both in sixth at 132 and 150.
King’s two losses at state came against Grain Valley’s Tanner Barker and Tate and Petticrew also had opponents who beat them twice at state in Oak Park’s Jamison Tunstill for Tate and Poplar Bluff’s Lucas Robertson for Petticrew.
Joplin’s lone state qualifier, Draven VanGilder (215), rebounded from semifinal and consolation semifinal losses to win a 5-4 decision against Staley’s Jack Stoffel for fifth and to finish his senior year on a winning note and with a 29-10 overall record his last season.
On the girls side, Joplin’s Erika Washom (31-12) finished 2-2 overall at state in her Class 2 135 weight class. She pinned St. Joseph Central’s Ashley Slade and Park Hill’s Rylin Beatty in her first two consolation matches, but Joplin’s first girls wrestling state qualifier finished her junior season 31-12 with a loss in the third consolation round.
NEOSHO, Mo. — The Neosho Wildcats and the Carthage Tigers went back-and-forth like a pair of champion boxers all Tuesday evening during their Central Ozark Conference bout at Neosho High School.
The lead exchanged hands many times — for example, Carthage led Neosho 34-29 late in the first half, but the Wildcats took a 41-34 early in the second half after scoring the final two points before halftime and the first 10 points after halftime.
Carthage regained the lead late in the third only to see Neosho tie it up at 48 entering the fourth.
Around the midway point of the fourth quarter, Neosho gained a 57-55 lead on a Brock Franklin 3-point basket and then extended it to 60-55 after three free throws from Isaiah Green and two Carthage empty possessions on the other end.
The Wildcats outscored the Tigers 24-19 in the fourth to earn a 72-67 win.
“My gosh, we got it up to eight (66-58) and we missed some free throws and fouled on an and-one,” Neosho coach Zane Culp said. “They didn’t go down without a fight, but Isaiah Green’s been great at the line at the end of games all year. (Carter) Baslee had a couple great shots there with Kael Smith facilitating in the middle. It was a great game.
“Thinking back, it was such a wild game that I don’t even remember certain parts of it. I just know Brock Franklin had a huge three in the corner that gave us the lead that we kept the whole time. (Carter) Fenske shot the heck out of it that first half.
“Yeah, I would say there in the second half the biggest difference is we made a few more free throws and they missed several, and we made our closer shots, they missed a few layups. When it comes down to two good teams, it’s the small things that make the difference.”
Carthage led 18-15 at the end of the first quarter, 34-31 at halftime, and 55-54 for the last time in the fourth.
“That was probably the fastest-paced first half of basketball that we’ve played all season,” Carthage coach Nathan Morris said. “I’m sure it was exciting basketball to watch. When it counted most, they made some big shots and some winning plays and the right pass. We just didn’t, and we had some chances. We did a good job of speeding them up late, earning some turnovers, and we were unable to finish. They were absolutely lights out from the free-throw line down the stretch.”
Green and Baslee led Neosho with 18 points each — Green scored 10 of his points Tuesday on free throws, including seven of them in the fourth, and Baslee finished strong around the basket for six of his points in the final three minutes. Baslee’s last two points on a breakaway slam dunk gave Neosho a 70-64 lead.
Smith added 14 points, Fenske finished with 12 points with a quartet of trifectas, Collier Hendricks scored all five of his points in a row to earn Neosho a 23-all score early in the second quarter, Franklin’s three points might have been the most important three of the game, and Jared Siler finished at the basket in the first quarter for his two points.
The Wildcats honored their seniors Green, Baslee, Smith, Fenske, Franklin, Siler, and Michael Day before the game Tuesday.
“When the seniors got here as freshmen, that was only my second year (as head coach),” Culp said. “We hadn’t had any kind of consistency, even having coaches for multiple seasons. We had a 14-win season every now and then, but as soon as they stepped on the floor as freshmen that wasn’t going to be status quo anymore. They challenged seniors, it didn’t matter, and it was like we’re here to win and that’s what we’re going to do.
“They were 19-3 as freshmen. When they stepped on the floor, they were on a mission to change this program. I’m just so glad I got to be the coach to shepherd them through. I’m so proud of them for all the accomplishments we’ve had. First back-to-back winning seasons since 2003, most wins in a season since 2003, and most COC wins ever … and playing in back-to-back district championship games during their run. They’re great young men and they’ve not only had a great season, but they’ve set us up moving on forward.”
Neosho improved to 19-6 overall and 6-2 COC, and the Wildcats finish their regular season on Thursday on the road against unbeaten and second-ranked in Class 6 Nixa (25-0, 8-0 COC).
“They haven’t lost,” Culp said. “All we can do is go in there and battle. We’ll find out our district seed (Wednesday). We should fall around the five or the six. We’ll see how that goes. Either way, it will probably be a rematch with either Republic or Joplin. It should be fun. Our mind is on Nixa. We’ll go out there and compete, and it’s not going to have any bearing on seeding. We just want to enjoy these last couple, hopefully several, games with these seniors.”
Max Templeman sparked Carthage with a game-high 30 points, while Justin Ray finished with 14, Clay Kinder 10, Britt Coy nine, and Kruz Castor and Trent Yates two points each.
“Max is an ultra-competitor no matter what he’s doing,” Morris said. “It doesn’t have to be basketball, it’s anything he does. Huge competitor and he means a lot to us. He puts a lot on his shoulders, and he didn’t probably have his best night late in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t for a lack of effort from any of our kids, we just didn’t finish the plays late.”
The Tigers finished their regular season 14-11 overall and 4-5 COC, and they find out their next opponent Wednesday when the seeds for the Class 6 District 5 tournament are determined.
OZARK, Mo. — Joplin, Neosho and Carthage all had wrestlers advance to the state wrestling tournament by finishing in the top four of their respective brackets on Saturday at the Class 4 District 3 tournament at Ozark High School.
Neosho had six wrestlers move on to state.
Neosho’s Carter Howard (138), Eli Zar (165) and Nico Olivares (285) were district champions, Fisher Butler was the runner-up at 120, Ulysses DeLeon took third at 190 and Collyn Kivett placed fourth at 157.
In the title match at 138, Howard earned an 8-3 decision over Lebanon’s Jonathon Perryman. Zar defeated Carthage’s Davion King 5-1 for the championship at 165. In the heavyweight title bout, Olivares won by fall over Ozark’s Peyton Greer. Butler suffered an 11-2 setback to Lee’s Summit North’s Charlie Dykes in the final at 120.
DeLeon pinned Lee’s Summit West’s Nate Moore in the third-place match. At 157, Kivett dropped a 7-0 decision to Springfield Central’s Gaven Bremenkamp for third place.
Neosho finished second in the team standings with 146 points. Ozark took first with 191 points.
The Carthage Tigers had four wrestlers advance.
Carthage had three athletes take second in their respective brackets—Tanner Putt (106), Grey Petticrew (150) and Davion King (165). Also for the Tigers, Bradyn Tate finished third at 132 pounds.
Putt suffered a 1-0 loss to Raymore-Peculiar’s Kamdon VonHolten in the title match at 106.
Petticrew suffered a loss by fall to Ozark’s Braxton Strick in the title bout at 150, while King lost to Neosho’s Zar, 5-1.
Wrestling for third, Tate won by fall over Kickapoo’s Tobias Collins.
Carthage finished seventh in the team standings with 102 points.
Joplin’s lone state qualifier is senior Draven VanGilder, who was the runner-up at 215 pounds.
In the title bout, Nixa’s Brennan Carey earned a 7-0 decision over VanGilder.
VanGilder beat Smith-Cotton’s Jerian Maupins 8-2 in the semifinals. He pinned Carthage’s Alexander Salas-Marquez in the opening round and topped Waynesville’s Joshua Bess 4-2 in the quarterfinals.
SENECA SHINES AT CLASS 2 DISTRICT 3 TOURNEY
SENECA, Mo. — The Seneca Indians had eight wrestlers advance to state by finishing in the top four of their weight classes on Saturday at the Class 2 District 3 tournament.
Seneca’s district champs were Brady Roark (132) and Andrew Manley (144) and Jace Renfro was the runner-up at 190.
Finishing third in their brackets for the Indians were Paxton Bruegal (106) and Eli Manley (126). Taking fourth were Landen Commons (157), Nolan Napier (165) and Lincoln Renfro (175).
Cassville had six qualifiers.
Taking second for the Wildcats were Akhilleus Arguelles (132), Riley James (150), Tristan Thompson (157) and Jake Anthonysz (165). Colton Roark was third at 144 pounds and DJ Glidewell finished fourth at 285.
Nevada had four athletes move on.
Nevada’s Tyler Longobardi was the runner-up at 175, Brayden Keonig (150) and Kenneth Johnson (215) both finished third and Joseph Fahnstock took fourth.
Monett’s Simon Hartline was the district champ at 120 pounds.
The top four teams were Pleasant Hill (218.5), Blair Oaks (174), Seneca (154) and Cassville (114.5).
STATE WRESTLING
The MSHSAA state wrestling tournament will now be a four-day affair in Columbia.
The Class 1 girls and Class 1-2 boys tournaments will be held on Feb. 22-23, while the Class 2 girls and Class 3-4 boys tourneys are slated for Feb. 24-25.
CARTHAGE BOYS 59, WILLARD 58 WILLARD, Mo. — Carthage and Willard battled to the final seconds, with Carthage holding on for a Central Ozark Conference win on Friday.
Carthage (14-10, 4-4 COC) led by four after the first quarter and took a one-possession lead into the intermission, 30-28. CHS pushed the lead to five to start the fourth quarter and spent the fourth quarter holding off Willard’s comeback bid. Carthage withstood the rally for the win.
Max Templeman led Carthage with a pair of 3-pointers and a game-high 24 points. Justin Ray (13 points) and Clay Kinder (10 points) each added a pair of 3-pointers in the win.
Carthage secured the program’s first back-to-back winning seasons since 2010-12.
Carthage wraps up its regular season with a matchup at Neosho on Tuesday.
REPUBLIC BOYS 64, NEOSHO 53
REPUBLIC, Mo. — Republic erased an early deficit over the middle quarters on the way to a Central Ozark Conference and district matchup on Friday.
The Wildcats (18-6, 5-2 COC) took a 15-12 lead into the second quarter before the Tigers (21-3, 5-2 COC) outscored Neosho 33-20 in the second and third quarters to build a 10-point cushion to start the final eight minutes. Republic held firm down the stretch.
Brenley Hagewood finished with 17 points to lead the Tigers, while Allante Askew added 14. Gunner Ellison scored 12.
Isaiah Green had 19 points to lead Neosho in scoring, while Brock Franklin finished with 11. Carter Baslee added 10.
Neosho hosts Carthage on Tuesday before wrapping up the regular-season portion of the schedule with a road contest at Nixa on Thursday.
NIXA BOYS 82, WEBB CITY 69
NIXA, Mo. — A solid effort wasn’t enough for the Webb City Cardinals.
Overcoming an early deficit, Class 6 No. 2 Nixa remained undefeated by earning a COC win over the visiting Cardinals.
Nixa is now 24-0 and 7-0 in the conference, while Webb City fell to 15-9 overall and 2-6 in the COC.
The Cardinals scored nine unanswered points early in the game and led 21-18 by the end of the opening frame.
Using an 11-5 spurt, Webb City held a nine-point lead with just under four minutes to play in the second quarter at 32-23. But Nixa closed the first half on a 17-6 surge to take a 40-38 advantage at the break.
The Eagles outscored the Cardinals 25-11 in the third period for a 63-51 advantage.
The visitors were unable to rally in the final frame. Nixa won the fourth quarter 19-18 for the final margin.
Sophomore guard Eli Pace led the Cardinals with 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting, while junior guard Barron Duda added 16 points and 13 rebounds. Senior forward Alex Martin had 15 points and sophomore guard Holton Keith added eight points.
Kael Combs led Nixa with a game-high 25 points, while Garrett Hines added 21 points and Josh Peters had 14.
The Eagles hit 13 3-pointers, while the Cardinals made three. Nixa went 17-of-24 at the foul line, while Webb City made 6-of-15 at the charity stripe.
Webb City will host Carl Junction on Tuesday night in the final conference game of the season.
JOPLIN BOYS 65, BRANSON 53
BRANSON, Mo. — Joplin went on the road and earned a Central Ozark Conference win over Branson on Friday.
No other information was made available.
WILLARD GIRLS 48, CARTHAGE 42
WILLARD, Mo. — Carthage built an early double-digit lead only to see Willard rally back for a Central Ozark Conference win on Friday.
Carthage (10-14, 2-6 COC) jumped out to a 15-point lead after the first quarter after outscoring Willard 23-8 over the first eight minutes. Willard rallied hard in the middle quarters, scoring a combined 32 points and holding Carthage to nine points to take a 40-32 advantage heading into the final eight minutes of action. Willard held off Carthage to earn the win.
Elise Murray led Willard with 15 points, while Carolina Crawford knocked down two 3-pointers on the way to 10 points. Karli Wheeler and Kenadie Johnson each scored nine.
Carthage was led in scoring by Kianna Yates’ game-high 17 points, including a set of 3-pointers. Lauren Choate added seven points, while Landry Cochran finished with six. Cochran knocked down two 3-points in the loss.
Carthage is at Neosho on Monday before wrapping the regular season at Cassville on Thursday.
Green and Baslee led Neosho with 18 points each — Green scored 10 of his points Tuesday on free throws, including seven of them in the fourth, and Baslee finished strong around the basket for six of his points in the final three minutes. Baslee’s last two points on a breakaway slam dunk gave Neosho a 70-64 lead.
Neosho improved to 19-6 overall and 6-2 COC, and the Wildcats finish their regular season on Thursday on the road against unbeaten and second-ranked in Class 6 Nixa (25-0, 8-0 COC).