The Missouri State High School Activities Association Track and Field Championships are set to begin this Friday at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City, and athletes from Greene and Christian counties are preparing to make their mark in Classes 5 and 6.

Boys’ Competitions

Leading the charge is Hayden Mays from Nixa, who is favored to win the discus event with a throw of 194-9. Mays, who will attend Auburn next season, is also a strong contender in the shot put, despite competition from Webb City junior Louden Bolinger, who has thrown 65 feet this season.

Gage Hale from Logan-Rogersville is another athlete to watch. As a sophomore, he is competing for state titles in the 100, 200, and 400 meters, having recently won sectionals in each race. Hale is also a talented wide receiver for the Wildcats.

Ozark’s Kannon Williams is looking to end his high school career on a high note. Williams, who holds school records in the 100 and 200 meters, will run at Pittsburg State next season. He aims to improve on his previous state placements in the 200 meters.

Sophomore Gedaliah Chepkondol from Nixa has shown significant improvement in his hurdle events, with times ranking in the top four in Class 5. He is also part of Nixa’s state-qualifying 4×200 and 4×400 relay teams.

Girls’ Competitions

On the girls’ side, Bria Wright from Ozark is expected to excel in the 100 and 300 hurdles. Wright, who will compete in the heptathlon at Wichita State, also qualified for state in the long jump.

Elise Murray from Willard is the fastest female sprinter in southwest Missouri, with sectional titles in the 100 and 200 meters. She aims to secure a podium finish in a highly competitive field.

Other notable athletes include Nixa’s Avery Muniz in the shot put, Ozark’s Lola Kessinger in the javelin, and Glendale’s Sylayah Davis in the high jump. Nixa’s Olivia Reed and Hillcrest’s Sa’Niya Johnson are also expected to perform well in their respective events.

Original reporting: Springfield Daily Citizen — read the source article.