Joplin High School Shines at Track Meet with Strong Performances Across Region
JOPLIN, Mo. — The Joplin track and field meet featured several top finishes from area runners, jumpers and throwers on Tuesday.
The Joplin girls team took first place in the team standings with 155 points, while Webb City won the boys team standings with 156.5 points.
GIRLS HIGHLIGHTS
Joplin High School was propelled by dominant relay wins and individual excellence. The 4x100-meter (49.96 seconds), 4x200m (1:46.99), and 4x400m (4:09.97) relay teams secured first.
Ava Doll was a standout, winning the 1600m (5:28.67) and 3200m (11:26.02) with commanding leads. Brylee Strickland (400m, 1:00.66) and Nalyjah Madison (400m, 1:01.48) took first and second, while Abigayle Lowery (200m, 26.45) and Micah Holden (100m hurdles, 16.39; 300m hurdles, 50.80) earned second and third, respectively. Kendall Nyarango (long jump, 4.89m) also nabbed third.
Carthage finished a close second with 152.5 points, highlighted by their 4x800m relay victory (10:46.71). Maggie Boyd claimed the 800m (2:34.25), and London Shepherd soared in the triple jump (10.77m). Chasity Straw dominated the throws, winning discus (37.04m) and shot put (12.34m). Riley Cochran took second in high jump (1.49m) and third in pole vault (2.75m).
Carl Junction scored 115.5 points, led by Sydney Ward’s blazing 100m (12.02) and 200m (25.44) victories. Bella Montez secured second in the 300m hurdles (47.93) and third in javelin (37.53), while Brooke Jasperson won pole vault (3.35m). The 4x400m relay team took second (4:12.72), and Marissa Newman earned third in the 3200m (12:30.26).
Thomas Jefferson’s Macie Shifferd finished second in both the 1600m (5:38.42) and 3200m (12:06.78). Anna Hiebert tied for third in high jump (1.44m), and Lannah Grigg placed third in shot put (9.71m).
McDonald County High School saw Samantha Dowd take third in the 400m (1:02.50), while Jada Howard earned third in triple jump (10.15m). Dakota O’Brien also placed third in javelin (36.27m).
BOYS HIGHLIGHTS
The Webb City boys were driven by their 4x800m relay win (8:31.10). Noah Lankard (800m, 1:58.26; 1600m, 4:42.05) and Andrew Dawson (1600m, 4:45.61; 3200m, 9:58.23) secured second and third, respectively, in their distance races. Louden Bolinger dominated shot put (16.83m) and took third in discus (45.76m). John Makowski and Wyatt Bonnow went 1-3 in pole vault (3.65m, 3.50m).
Joplin followed closely with 141 points, excelling in sprints and jumps. The 4x100m (43.33) and 4x200m (1:33.68) relay teams claimed first. Avarus Kuhn-Wofford won the 110m hurdles (14.89) and 300m hurdles (40.26), while Davin Thomas took the 100m (10.95). Aiden Scourten led the triple jump (13.18m), with Robert Jones second (12.80m). Isaiah Thom earned third in both hurdle events (110m, 15.86; 300m, 41.89). Neil Barstow won discus (47.26m) and was second in shot put (16.20m).
Carthage scored 78.5 points, with Henry Laytham shining in the 800m (1:56.91) and 1600m (4:39.71). Jackson Hettinger took third in the triple jump (12.62m) and second in the 200m (23.17). The 4x400m relay team secured second (3:30.92).
Carl Junction earned 59.5 points, with Isaac Willoughby placing third in the 3200m (10:07.35). Austin Swarens tied for second in high jump (1.79m) and was third in long jump (6.20m). Quincy Thomure took second in the 100m (11.00).
Thomas Jefferson contributed 26 points, with Braden Honeywell-Lynch third in the 1600m (4:47.73). Will Twiss placed third in the 3200m (10:20.66), and Liam Cook was third in the 800m (2:08.22).
McDonald County scored 31 points, with Miguel Mora taking third in the 800m (2:04.51). The 4x200m relay team grabbed second (1:33.85), and the 4x100m team took third (44.57).