Class 4 Boys Field Events
(From L-R: Warner, Benson - Photo Credit: Greg Hall)
High Jump
Last year it took 6-7 to win; this year three young men have cleared 6-8. Malik Ray of McCluer cleared 6-8.25 at his sectional meet; the best mark in Class 4. Jared Benson of Liberty and Deiondre Hall of Blue Springs have both cleared 6-8 as well. Benson was the sectional champ with Hall finishing third behind Hall and Jordan Warner. Warner, a senior at William Chrisman is the defending champ in this event.
Long Jump
Hall has performed well in this event as well, jumping 23-3 back at the UCM Relays. He was the Sectional 4 champ in the long jump. Last year's runner up, Cory Winfield of Riverview Gardens, was also a sectional champ. The top ranked jumper, Dominic Jones, jumped 23-3.5 at his conference meet. The Waynesville senior returns from a third place finish last spring.
Triple Jump
Hall is yet again highly ranked in this event, as well. The Blue Springs senior jumped 47-7.75 back in early April to give him the second highest ranking behind Darrion Dillard. The McCluer jumper had a mark of 48-0 last weekend at the Sectional 2 meet. Dillard was 11th in this event last year but has made significant improvements since then. The 14th place finisher from a season ago, Rodja Harvey of McCluer North, has also done well this season. He was second behind Dillard at the sectional meet with a jump of 47-2.25.
(Josh McDonald)
Discus Throw
A couple people were talking at the Class 1-2 state meet of the possibility of moving the tent at the award stand for this one. The tent sits about 250 feet from the discus ring which saw a couple of throws bounce into there during the Class 1-2 meet. However, this weekend will provide some amazing throws. Josh McDonald is no stranger to having to forcing people to make adjustments when he throws. He shut down a major road when he threw at districts, where he launched the discus over 190 feet. To win he will have to defeat some great throwers, though. Evan Boehm, the defending state champ and Missouri Football signee threw 188-7 at his sectional meet, which is six feet further than his winning mark from last year. Next is Steven Deshazer, a senior from Raytown. Deshazer has a lifetime best of over 190 feet as well. For all those sitting in the tent when this is going one - watch for flying objects.
Shot Put
Some familiar names will be in this event. Raytown's Deshazer is the leader in this event as he has thrown just under 60 feet. He was third, finishing just behind Skyler Frazier who returns for his senior season. Donnell Walker had a breakthrough performance at the Henle Holmes Invitational, throwing 57-2. He came out on top at his sectional over third ranked Josh McDonald of Timberland.
(Joe Burkett)
Pole Vault
Joe Burkett of Jefferson City has been one of the best Pole Vaulters in the state for a while now. He cleared 16-1 earlier in the season which is getting close to the Class 4 record of 16-4.5. The junior will be eying a title as he was fourth in last year's meet. Two other athletes to keep an eye on are Tyler May of Lee's Summit West and Cole Phillips of Nixa. May has cleared 15-10 while Phillips sits at 15-6 headed into the state meet.
Class 3 Boys Field Events
High Jump
Riley Williams of Savvanah is the top guy coming in. He is the only person to clear higher than 6-6 but many competitors are at 6-6. Williams cleared 6-9 at the Cameron Invitational. He was fourth last year, one place behind Maverick Scott of Park Hills, one of the men to clear 6-6. Harvey Kendall of Grandview looks to add some points for his team who hope to repeat as state champs.
Long Jump
Three guys have distanced themselves by jumping over 23 feet. Tyler Lamb jumped 23-5 back in March to defeat Nick Ramirez. Also, Jaron Rollins, whose brother, Naron, is one of the best sprinters in Class 3, also cleared 23 feet at his sectional meet. Ramirez was the state champ in the triple jump last year while Lamb was third in the long jump.
(Nick Ramirez)
Triple Jump
Nick Ramirez jumped half an inch further at the KU Relays than his winning mark from last year at state. Not far behind are Emmanuel Price and Jaron Rollins. Price has had a breakout season in the 300H and looks to improve on his fourth place finish from last year in this event. Rollins has been rolling lately, winning both the long jump and triple jump at sectionals.
(Jacob Crenshaw)
Discus Throw
Other than Grandview, Festus has the best shot at winning a team title. Drew White leads the distance crew and Jason Walker leads the throws. His throw of 176-0 is the best in Class 3 and those ten points would be a major boost for the Tigers. PJ Patton of Harrisonville will provide a challenge as he has thrown over 170 feet, as well. Walker had a runner-up finish last year, losing to Jacob Crenshaw, who returns as well. The defending state champ is currently ranked third.
Shot Put
A number of athletes come in with close marks. Caleb Mather of Maryville has the top mark of 55-9.5. Jason Walker sits second but if he can pull off the victory, the extra two points for the Tigers could make a huge difference. Also, his teammate Jason Howell sits third in the rankings. This could be a make-it-or-break-it event for the Tigers' hope for a team title. Alec Whiteside, last year's runner up also returns for his junior year.
Pole Vault
Christian Locke was third in this event last year and is the top ranked Class 3 vaulter. Behind him is Kyle Potter, the third place finisher from last year. Another Festus Tiger, Zach Reed, could score big points in this event who has cleared 14-6 this year.
