After securing district and sectional championships in back-to-back weeks, the Webb City High School boys track and field squad concluded its stellar 2023 season by finishing fifth in the Class 4 team standings on Saturday at the MSHSAA Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City.
Webb City compiled 40 points, just one point behind Hazelwood East for the final state plaque.
“I feel pretty good overall,” Webb City coach Dustin Miller said. “Anytime you’re fifth it’s pretty heartbreaking, especially by one point. It was kind of a mixed bag. We had some things we didn’t take care of business on and then we had some things that we did really well on. Overall, it was a good showing. We had some kids put together some heroic performances to give us a shot at a trophy.
“On paper, we were supposed to be the sixth-place team and we were supposed to score 32 points. So I’m proud we got to 40 points.”
The Cardinals were sitting in fourth place ahead of the meet’s final event. Hazelwood East came from behind to win the 4×400 relay. And those points were enough to edge past Webb City for the final team trophy.
“We knew we’d be the fourth-place team if Hazelwood East didn’t win the 4×400,” Miller said. “They were in second place before the final leg. The state champ in the 400 is their anchor, so Ladue’s three second lead wasn’t enough. That’s how it goes.”
Although a team trophy eluded them, it’s safe to say the Cardinals finished the season strong, as the boys team recorded seven all-state performances, including two state champions.
Webb City senior Grayson Smith closed out his outstanding prep career with his second state title in the pole vault, as he cleared a height of 15 feet and 5.75 inches.
“I was really proud of Grayson,” Miller said. “He didn’t have the greatest day to his standards. He looked a little flat. But for him to go out on an average day and win a state title easily speaks volumes about who he is as an athlete. And he overcame a lot of adversity just to be able to compete. I’m really proud of him.”
Smith was able to repeat as state champ after overcoming a leg injury he suffered during the football season. A Pittsburg State signee, Smith won his first Class 4 state title last year with the same 15-5.75 mark.
Smith wasn’t Webb City’s only state champ.
Junior distance runner Evan Stevens won a state title in the 3200 on Saturday and also placed fifth in the 1600 on Friday.
“Evan ran a good 1600,” Miller said. “I was proud of him for hanging in there and getting fifth. That’s where he was supposed to be. In the 3200, we knew the other guys were tired and that Evan would have a chance to win a state title if he went out and stayed aggressive. And he did. It was just a really impressive performance, not just winning, but the way he won. He led the whole way. By lap six, Evan was 11 seconds ahead. The last lap was a little nerve-racking.”
Stevens finished in 9:18, four seconds ahead of Festus’ Ian Schram, who won the 1600.
“It’s huge for Evan’s confidence,” Miller said. “He showed he can run with the best athletes in the state. Now, we just have to make sure he stays humble and keeps working hard.”
Webb City senior Trey Roets closed out his prep career on the awards podium after placing third in the javelin with a toss of 179-11.
“Trey did not look good in the prelims, but he snuck into the finals,” Miller said. “Trey relaxed and threw well in the finals. It was good to see him end his career like that.”
Roets, who will compete in football and track at William Jewell, was also third in the event last year.
The Cardinals had two medalists in the javelin, as junior Tucker Liberatore placed sixth with a toss of 171-4.
“Tucker wasn’t even supposed to get out of sectionals, but he was very consistent,” Miller noted. “He had an impressive day.”
Junior thrower Nate Miller finished third in the discus with a toss of 163-11.
“He was in sixth place and on his last throw he stepped up with a big throw to take third,” Coach Miller said. “That put us in a position to get a team plaque.”
Cardinals junior Jadon Brisco joined Smith as a medalist in the pole vault, as his clearance of 12-4 earned him eighth place.
Also gaining state experience were junior Ryan Reid (high jump) and sophomore Eric Lathan (shot put).
Also competing was Webb City’s 4×400 relay team of Gabe Johnson, Noah Moss, Joshua White and Jordan Thornburg and the 4×800 relay team of Mason Hedger, Dakota Grove, Noah Lankard and Stevens.
Ahead of their postseason success, Webb City’s boys were a close second to Neosho at the Central Ozark Conference Meet.
“It was a great season and I’m excited about the guys we’ll have back,” Miller said.
DECKER, STREET LEAD WEBB CITY GIRLS
The Webb City girls had four all-state performances, including one state champ.
Cardinals junior Dawsyn Decker won a state title in the javelin with a toss of 139-10, out-throwing Savannah’s Rhyan Schrick by nearly nine feet.
“Seeing Dawsyn win was pretty neat,” Miller commented. “She was not the top seed. Her PR was her last throw of the season. She’s worked hard all season. She was in control of the competition from the get-go. I don’t think anyone challenged her. For her to keep climbing the whole way was impressive.”
Decker, a multisport athlete who placed fourth her sophomore year, will look to repeat next spring.
Ending her prep career on a high note, senior distance runner Abi Street earned a pair of medals by finishing third in the 3200 and fourth in the 1600.
“Abi ran a good race in the 3200,” Miller said. “The 1600 is not her strength, but I think she ran the best race of her career. It was really impressive what she did. It was a great way to end her career. It was a good day for our distance squad for sure.”
Street is headed to the University of Kansas to continue her academic and track and field career.
Just a freshman, Brooke Hedger finished fourth in the 800 in 2:19.
“Brooke positioned herself pretty well,” Miller said. “The race went out really slow. She ran a really good race. I’m proud of her and that should be a big confidence boost for her going into next year.”
The Webb City girls just missed a medal in the 4×100, as Kylie Jennings, Alyssa Moreno, Chase Stilley and Essence Robinson finished ninth. Also, junior Aubree Lassiter finished 11th in the discus.
The Webb City girls finished 11th in the Class 4 team standings with 26 points.
Also of note, Jeremy Butler has officially stepped down as Webb City’s girls track and field coach. Butler spent more than two decades coaching track at Webb City.
Coach Miller will be in charge of both programs next year.
“I look forward to seeing if we can get more talented athletes to come out for the sport,” he said.
