Athletes from Platte County, Park Hill and Park Hill South secured a wave of state championship berths Saturday at the MSHSAA Class 5 Sectional 4 meet at Blue Springs High School, combining for more nearly two dozen qualifiers across a variety of events.
Park Hill South’s Thomas Garrett extended his phenomenal season in the 1600-meter run, earning first in 4 minutes, 16.52 seconds. The Panthers’ 4x800-meter boys relay team also excelled with a second-place finish (7:40.80), while Everett Grower punched his ticket to Jefferson City with a 1.93-meter leap in the high jump.
Platte County set a new state record in the 4x100 relay with 40.83 seconds and set new school records with second-place finishes in the 4x200 (1:27.26) and 4x400 (3:16.63) races. Braiden Stevens also set a Platte County record, racing the 100 in 10.38 to earn a trip to Jefferson City as a sectional runner-up.
Joshua Fraker also added a second-place effort in the 400 (48.50), while Ty Christopher took fourth in the 200 (21.72). Cale Buntz also advanced in the javelin with a school record-breaking throw of 52.53 meters for fourth.
The Park Hill boys will be represented in three events at the state meet. The 4x400 relay team (3:17.78) and Fedrick Marshall Jr.’s long jump of 6.76 meters earned third place, while Braylon Agee qualified as a fourth-place finish in the 110 hurdles (14.50).
On the girls side, Platte County’s Addyson Schlake won the discus with a throw of 41.17 meters and will look to challenge for a state title next weekend in Jefferson City. Adi Benninghoff punched her ticket in the 100-meter hurdles with a runner-up finish in 14.97 seconds.
Park Hill had a strong day in both sprints and jumps, capped by freshman standout Nikyah Chappell placing second in the triple jump (11.71 meters). The Trojans also earned state spots in both the girls 4x100 (48.60) and 4x400 (3:56.21) relays, with Desi Holbrook leading the way individually with a second-place run in the 400 (57.50).
For Park Hill South, Madilynn Conklin qualified in the 1600 (5:04.11), and LaNicia Parker secured state spots in both the 300-meter hurdles (45.59) and long jump (5.49 meters).
Audrey Steitz joined Chappell as a triple jump qualifier, finishing third (10.74 meters), and Park Hill South’s girls 4x400 relay also made the cut with a fourth-place 3:56.21.
The Missouri Class 5 State Track and Field Championships will be held May 31–June 1 at Jefferson City High School.