Strafford High School’s track team had an impressive showing at the MSHSAA Class 3 state track meet held at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City. Sophomore Ava Lane was a standout performer, securing four medals and helping her team finish sixth overall in the team standings.

Lane excelled individually, finishing third in both the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.25 seconds and the 200-meter dash at 24.99 seconds. Her efforts were complemented by senior teammate Payten Coulter, who finished fifth in the 100-meter dash with a time of 12.30 seconds.

The duo, along with teammates Reese Coulter and Jordan Davied, clinched a state championship in the 4×200 relay, clocking in at 1:42.19. They also secured a second-place finish in the 4×100 relay with a time of 48.33 seconds, showcasing Strafford’s strength in relay events.

Other Notable Performances

Fair Grove junior Katrina Cantwell continued her consistent performance in the 3,200-meter run, placing fifth for the second year in a row with a time of 11:55. In the boys’ category, Springfield Catholic junior Kyle Hathcock achieved a personal best of 9:26.04 in the 3,200-meter run, earning him a sixth-place finish.

Walnut Grove’s Dwyer Coons made history as the school’s first state boys medalist since 1982 by placing sixth in the javelin throw with a distance of 149-6. The Fair Grove girls’ 4×400 relay team, featuring Harper Green, Willow Buescher, McKenna Zanzie, and Andie Evans, finished seventh with a time of 4:10.37.

Fair Grove senior Carson Trussell qualified for the Class 3 championship in the 100-meter dash, ultimately finishing eighth with a time of 11.03 seconds, contributing to his team’s overall points.

Christian County Highlights

Clever High School’s Valerie Cowles had a memorable weekend, winning the Class 3 state title in the high jump with a personal-best jump of 5 feet, 7.25 inches. Cowles also placed third in the 300 hurdles, achieving another personal best with a time of 44.87 seconds. She further contributed to her team’s success by teaming up with Alexa Flood, Brooklyn Flood, and Katelynn Butts to secure fourth place in the 4×200 relay with a time of 1:44.78.

In the boys’ events, Clever’s 4×400 relay team, consisting of Brenton Flood, Brayden Flood, Lucas Peebles, and Matthew Edge, finished fifth with a time of 3:23.60. Chadwick freshman Cohyn Goetz made a mark by placing seventh in the discus throw with a distance of 137-8, becoming the school’s first male all-state thrower.

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