PITTSBURG, Kan. — Area high school track and field programs from southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas turned in several strong performances Friday at the 37th Annual Jock's Nitch/PSU Gorilla Relays at Pittsburg State.
Webb City, Neosho, Seneca and Thomas Jefferson sent athletes who competed against a deep field that included squads from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. While no local team swept the meet, several individuals and relays delivered notable placings and season-best efforts on the new Pitt State outdoor track facility.
WEBB CITY STANDS OUT IN DISTANCE THROWS
Webb City enjoyed one of the strongest showings among the four schools, particularly in the boys' distance events and throws.
Senior Noah Lankard placed third in the 800-meter run in 1:59.07 and sixth in the 1,600 in 4:28.22. Sophomore James Baldassaro followed closely in the 800 with a sixth-place time of 2:01.36 and added a fourth in the 2,000-meter steeplechase (6:41.50).
The Cardinals' girls' distance crew was even more dominant: senior Brooke Hedger won both the 800 (2:17.90) and 1,600 (5:10.47). She was joined on the podium by teammates Araceli Perez (fifth, 5:29.61) and Olivia Klotz (sixth, 5:30.58) in the 1,600, while Brooke Collard took fourth in the 3,200 (12:02.59).
The Webb City girls also captured the 4x800 relay title in 10:00.57.
On the boys' side, senior Louden Bolinger won the shot put with a toss of 62-3, the top field event mark for any area athlete. Other Webb City standouts included Mason Bradley (tie for sixth in pole vault, 13-5.25), Cooper Ackerman (15th in long jump, 20-2.75), Malachi Njoroge (18th long jump, 18-9.50; 18th triple jump, 39-0.75), and Travien Turner (tie for third in high jump, 6-0.75).
NEOSHO’S SPRINTS AND HURDLES IMPRESS
Neosho athletes made their mark in the sprints and middle-distance races.
Junior Keagan Conness turned in a pair of fast efforts, finishing 11th in the 100-meter dash (11.11) and third in the 200 (22.41). Sophomore Tanner Schade placed 27th in the 100 (11.54) and 20th in the 200 (23.92). In the 400, senior Phoenix Rhatigan took fourth (51.40), while William Wilson was seventh (51.94) and Jack Brill III tied for 12th (52.39).
The Neosho girls contributed as well. Kendra Clark placed third in the 400 (59.23), and Ashlynn Hall was 12th in the 100 hurdles (17.34) and fourth in the 300 hurdles (51.24). The girls' 4x200 relay team earned third place overall (1:47.63). Other notable Neosho efforts came from William Ebbinghaus (11th, 800, 2:03.60), Jackson Weber (23rd, 1,600, 4:51.27), and throwers Collin Wilkie (11th discus, 139-6.75) and Colby McGehee (18th discus, 120-10.25; 13th shot put, 44-3.75).
SENECA MIXES SPEED AND STRENGTH
Seneca's boys' 4x100 relay squad delivered the area's highest relay finish among the four schools, placing second in 43.22 seconds — just behind Nixa.
Senior Noah Mittag ran 11.31 for 17th in the 100, while Aiden Crane took 28th (11.56). In the 200, Easton Hanes placed 19th (23.74) and Blaze Graham 29th (24.76). Boston Probert added a 33rd in the 400 (55.46).
In the field events, senior Brock Pendergraft had a busy day: seventh in discus (147-6), eighth in javelin (157-1.25), and 12th in shot put (44-6.50). Teammate Hunter Hanes jumped 21-0.75 for seventh in long jump and 38-3 for 21st in triple jump. Kylon Davidson placed ninth in javelin (155-0.50), and Jude King added 20th in discus (118-10.25) and 22nd in javelin (122-6.25).
On the girls' side, Anna Adkins and Hadley Hilburn both cleared 4-11 for a tie for eighth in high jump, while Savannah Johnson ran 28.23 for 22nd in the 200.
THOMAS JEFFERSON SHOWS DEPTH IN MIDDLE DISTANCE
Thomas Jefferson Independent School, competing in a smaller-school contingent, posted solid middle-distance results on both the boys' and girls' sides.
In the boys' 400, Liam Cook took sixth (51.71) and Jack Twiss 11th (52.39). Twiss also placed eighth in the 800 (2:01.70), while Will Twiss was 11th in the 1,600 (4:32.78) and Spencer Long 20th (4:45.15). The boys' 4x800 relay finished sixth (8:35.14).
On the girls' side, Esther Yang placed 32nd in the 100 (13.71) and Kirra Moser 31st in the 800 (2:40.98). Anna Hiebert tied for 17th in high jump (4-7) and placed 20th in long jump (15-9.25). Vivian Sharp ran to seventh in the 3,200 (12:40.17). The girls' 4x800 placed 10th (11:16.15).