Class 3 Boys

The Top Returner

Mt. Vernon's Hunter Dawson is the top returner in Class 3 by a fairly wide margin. His 55.72 (182-9) personal best came at the Class 3 State Championships and earned him a third place medal behind two seniors. Dawson had eight marks better than the second-best returner and is the only one over 50 meters heading into the 2026 season. He is a heavy preseason favorite.

The "Chase Pack"

Four boys return with a personal best over 48 meters: Brock Pendergraft - Seneca (49.53m), Nathan Nichols - Richmond (49.23m), Chase Bell - Cameron (48.82), and Brody Bekebrede - Reeds Spring (48.73m). Nichols and Pendergraft were 14th and 15th, respectively, at the Class 3 State Championships and Bell was the only other non-senior on the podium aside from Dawson. Bell grabbed the final medal, finishing eighth.

Sleeper Pick to Watch

We are keeping an eye out to see if Ste. Genevieve's Paul Taylor returns to the Javelin this season. Last year, he focused on the Shot Put and Discus and it paid off as he won the Shot Put and appears to be the preseason favorite to win that event again this year. He did throw 51.43m (168-8) as a sophomore in 2024 and could jump back into the mix now that he has one State gold to his name now.