Class 2 Boys Preview: Field Events
Long Jump
Returning All State Jumpers
Dylan Barnum, Strafford, SR, 2nd
Kris Kuoppamaki, Marionville, JR, 8th
This Year
Kuoppamaki leads this year’s long jumpers with a mark of 22-0. Marcus Taylor has added this event to his repertoire, jumping 21-8 with only his fourth meet that we have results for. Taylor is a solid athlete, who could make a big splash in this event his senior year. His teammate, Nick Coulter, who is one of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s athletes of the week, is currently ranked 6th. Barnum, who finished second last year, is ranked 9th this season. Tyler Coonis, a returning all-state runner in the 200, is ranked second, only behind Kuoppamaki by 2 inches.
Triple Jump
Returning All State Jumpers
None
This Year
With no All-State retruners in this event, winning is wide open to many people. Kris Kuoppamaki, who finished 8th in the Long Jump last year, is currently leads the rankings with a jump of 44-1.5. Tyler Coonis, a senior from Fair Grove, is the only other person to jump over 43 feet. Others to watch for include Andrew Baum, Jordan Britton, Jordan Payne, and Maplewood’s Nick Coulter.
High Jump
Returning All State Jumpers
Derek Turner, Pierce City, SR, 2nd
Alexander Everhardt, Fair Grove, SR, 3rd
Karter Moran, Ash Grove, JR, 5th
Dominic Davis, Plattsburg, SR, 7th
Chris Eicholz, Fatima, JR, 8th
This Year
This year’s high jump could come down to how many misses the jumpers have. Derek Turner, who finished second last year, leads Class 2 athletes with a jump of 6-7. Moran, who jumped 6-6 is close behind. Austin Francis of Salisbury is 3rd, and then Everhardt, and Davis are tied for 6-4. Three more have 6-2, another at 6-1 and a shocking 7 people have all recorded 6-0 this season. While not all of these athletes will be at the state meet, the marks should be up from last year.
Pole Vault
Returning All State Athletes
Mike Grinde, Monroe City, JR, 1st
Trevon Riley, Lamar, SR, 4th
Jake Roometua, Principia, SR, 5th
Collin Haahr, Lathrop, JR, 7th
This Year
A duel between Haahar and Grindle is set. While Grindle won last year, he is currently tied in the rankings for this season. Conrad Bollinger, who is listed in Prin’s 4x4, joins his teammate, Roometua at the state meet. Carl Brunner, a junior from Lathrop, is currently tied for 4th in the Class 2 rankings. His teammates, Haahar, and Nathan Brewer all qualified for the state meet.
Shot Put
Returning All State Throwers
TJ Schieber, Penney, JR, 3rd
Brian Rose, Belle, JR, 5th
Zach Crouch, Pierce City, JR, 7th
This Year
TJ Schieber leads Class 2 with a mark of 53-8. This gives him a comfortable lead on the field, as no one else has broke 50 feet. There are four others that have thrown 49 though. Alonzo Findley, Josh Coffman, Marcus Daily, who could score even more points for the Blue Devils of Maplewood, and Alexander Eichorn, could all be in the mix for top finishes.
Discus Throw
Returning All State Throwers
Chase Ewing, Carrollton, SR, 2nd
Alonzo Findley, Louisiana, SR, 4th
TJ Schieber, Penney, JR, 7th
Tanner Buschmann, Fatima, JR, 8th
This Year
Runner-up from last year, Ewing, has shown that he could win this year’s title. His throw of 164-9 puts him over 4 feet in front of Findley. Nic Cashio, a junior from Ash Grove, has thrown 155-10 to put him in third in the rankings. Others besides the all-state returners include Austin Boice, Tim Shores, and Marcus Daily.