The McDonald County High School boys track team tied for second place and the Lady Mustangs took third in 12-team fields at the annual Mustang Stampede held March 27 at MCHS.
The meet was the first competition on McDonald County's new track, which opened for practice just the day before.
"The new track was nice," coach Bruce Stancell said. "I got a lot of compliments from the opposing schools. It is unheard of for a 12-team meet to be over before dark."
Donavon Hadley was the only event winner for the boys, taking first in the shot put with a throw of 42-4.5 while adding a sixth in the discus with a toss of 103-6.
"Donavon had a nice performance," Stancell said. "Anytime you can win an event when there are 12 teams at the meet, it's a pretty good accomplishment."
Connor Underwood was the top point producer for the Mustangs, taking second place in the 800 (2:13.1) and 1600 (4:58.7) meter runs and adding a second as a member of the 4x800 relay and a fourth on the 4x400 relay.
"Connor had a strong performance," Stancell said. "He accounted for a lot of our team points."
Lavante Jackson picked up a pair of seconds in the sprints, finishing behind Neosho's Darrian Guillory in both the 100 and 200 meters. Jackson was timed in 11.1 in the 100 and 22.8 in the 200, finishing one-tenth of a second behind Guillory in both races.
"Lavante ran real well," Stancell said. "He is getting better and his times are coming down."
Wade Schmit was third in the 3200 meter run (11:32.0) and also ran a leg of the 4x800 relay.
"Wade gave a real gutsy performance in the 3200," Stancell said. "Running in that strong of wind was tough."
Other McDonald County individuals who finished in the top six included: Billy Leach, fifth, high jump, 5-6; Levy Trejo, sixth, 400 meters, 1:00.2; Hazma Kamran, fourth, pole vault, 9-6; and Cole Cooper, fifth, pole vault, 9-0.
Neosho won the boys division with 200 points with McDonald County and Mount Vernon tying for second with 74 points. Rounding out the field were Jasper with 44.5, East Newton 42, Monett 40, Cassville 38, Seneca 31, Purdy 9, Wheaton 2.5 and Thomas Jefferson 2.
Girls Division
Courtni Smith won the triple jump (34-3) and added a second in the long jump (15-9), a third in the high jump (4-10) and a fifth in the 200 (28.6) to lead the McDonald County girls.
"Courtni had a 34-3 jump in the triple jump into a strong wind," Stancell said. "That's a pretty good jump. She scored well in her other events.
Kylie Littlefield won the 3200 meter run in a time of 13:02.6 and ran a leg of the winning 4x800 relay.
"Kylie had a strong performance," Stancell said. "She ran a very consistent race in the 3200."
Joining Littlefield on the winning 4x800 relay were Dakota Bunch, Emily High and Faith Owens.
Bunch added a third in the 400 (1:06.6) while Owens was sixth in the 800 (2:53.6)
Coley Ickes also placed in four events, taking second in the 100 meters (12.7) and the 300 hurdles (49.4). She added a fourth in the 100 hurdles (17.2) and a sixth in the long jump (15-1).
"Coley's time in the 100 was a nice improvement," Stancell said. "It was wind aided, but it is still a good time."
Rounding out McDonald County's girls who finished in the top six were Rebekah Nandico, fifth, 100 hurdles, 17.3 and Kylie Buttram, third (tie), pole vault, 7-6.
Jasper edged Neosho for the girls title with 110.5 points. Neosho was second with 108 points followed by McDonald County 86, East Newton 74, Rogers (Ark.) Providence 66, Mount Vernon 33, Monett 26, Cassville 25, Southwest 13, Purdy 7, Thomas Jefferson 2 and Wheaton .5.
McDonald County's next meet is set for April 3 in Carthage.
Sports on 04/03/2014