Platte County’s boys track and field team capped off the 2025 MSHSAA Class 5 State Track and Field Championships with a performance for the ages, winning the 4x400-meter relay in record-breaking fashion.
The Pirates’ state championship-winning quartet of Ty Christopher, Jackson Goodale, Jack Johnson and Joshua Fraker blazed to a time of 3 minutes 13.80 seconds, not only earning first place but also setting a new state record set by breaking Hazelwood East’s 1986 record time of 13:14.04. The thrilling victory marked Platte County’s first state title in any event since 2018, ending a seven-year drought and placing the Pirates firmly back among Missouri’s elite.
Platte County junior Jackson Goodale in his leg of the 4x400 relay on May 31 in Jefferson City. Contributed Photo / Clifton Grooms
Platte County wasn’t done making noise in the relays. The Pirates also took second place in the 4x100 (Adam Gisler, Braiden Stevens, Adeboye Akande and Christopher) with a time of 41.13, narrowly missing out on another gold. Their 4x200 team of Stevens, Akande, Goodale and Christopher finished sixth in 1:27.49, showcasing depth and speed across the sprint relays.
Individually, Stevens capped a stellar season with a fifth-place finish in the 100-meter dash (10.75), while Fraker placed eighth in the 400 (48.62). In field events, Cale Buntz landed fifth in the javelin with a throw of 51.77 meters, rounding out a strong state meet for the Platte County boys.
Park Hill and Park Hill South also had standout performances of their own. Braylon Agee of Park Hill finished eighth in the 110-meter hurdles (14.82), while the Trojans’ senior 4x400 relay of Dontae Bronson Jr., Owen Koski, Alex Haley and Miles McFarland also impressed, placing fourth in 3:18.20 to leave behind a new school record.
On the girls’ side, Park Hill senior Desi Holbrook ran 57.65 to finish seventh in the 400, and freshman sensation Nikyah Chappell leaped to fourth place in the triple jump at 11.61 meters. The Trojans’ 4x400-meter relay team of Caroline Schaag, Annalise Agbor, Chappell and Holbrook took fifth in 3:56.62.
Park Hill South’s distance stars continued their dominance. Junior Thomas Garrett placed fifth in the 1600 with a school record-breaking time of 4:11.21, and the Panthers’ 4x800 relay of Simon Ketter, Benedict Yager, Cole James, Thomas Garrett surged from fourth place to a runner-up finish in 7:46.83. On the girls’ side, Madilynn Conklin set a school record, coming in seventh in the 1600 (5:02.99), while senior LaNicia Parker also set a school record to earn eighth in the long jump with a mark of 5.51 meters. High jumper Everett Grower cleared 1.93 meters for fifth in the boys event.
Platte County’s Adi Benninghoff (100 hurdles, 14.95, 8th) and Addyson Schlake (discus, 38.43 meters, 7th) also added to the Pirates’ overall medal count in the girls competition.
In total, athletes from Platte County, Park Hill, and Park Hill South combined for 16 podium finishes, but none stood taller than the Pirates’ final gold — a championship effort that will be remembered for years to come.
Park Hill junior Braylon Agee leaps over a hurdle at the 2025 MSHSAA State Championship track meet. Contributed Photo / Renee Smith