Class 4 Girls team race is wide open
Parkway Central Head Coach Ryan Banta was nervous throughout the Class 4 State Track and Field Championship last May.
But he had very little reason to be.
Sure, he was going for the cherry on top of an illustrious career: his first team title at the state level. The Lady Colts dominated, though, earning 78 points, 26 more than the next closest team (West Plains).
This year, it may be much much closer. Parkway Central lost several important pieces to graduation, but still return stud sprinter Mychael Green and and state champion hurdler Skyye Lee. Green returns with personal bests of 25.95 and 58.85 in the 200 and 400, respectively. Lee focused on dominating those hurdle events with personal bests of 13.69 in the 100 hurdles and 43.76 in the 300 hurdles. She should secure another 20 points for the crew this year again.
They'll need help from their stable of sprinters if they hope to hold off an up-and-coming West Plains crew. Led by the Dixon sisters (yes, the granddaughters of legendary Joe Bill Dixon), Laura and Kaylea are hoping to show the family knows more than just distance running. Laura has run 12.56 in the 100 and 25.65w in the 200. She also led the 3rd place 4x100 and 4x200 squads last season. Kaylea is a 17-3.75 long jumper and 35-5.5 triple jumper with a 20:37 personal best in the 5k. It's a great one-two punch for the Zizzers that should be boosted by distance runners Addison Sanders, Jorden Tollenaar, Emily Ritter, and Emma Dixon.
Kearney is also making a major play for the state championship. They were third last year and return all of their individual state qualifiers from last year led by Ava Lawless. She was the state champion in the triple jump, runner-up in the long jump by a half inch, and third in the 100 hurdles. She could score anywhere from 24-28 points on her own. Their distance team carries a torch, too, with Alexandra Kinstler and Jadyn Barnes leading the way. Barnes won the 800 last season with her 4 second personal best of 2:17.00. She's also run 59.29 in the 400.
If Raytown South can pick up a couple more pieces, they're in the mix, too, with Zaya Akins picking up 30 points on her own.
There were 14 teams with at least 20 points last spring and not many seniors at the meet. We could see some surprise teams make a run at a state trophy, as well, as we progress through this spring season.