The success of the 2014 McDonald County High School track team will be hard to repeat in a lot of ways, but a strong group of distance runners gives hope for the outlook of the 2015 season.
Only one of four state qualifiers from last year's squad returns for this season. Courtni Smith, who capped the 2014 season by winning a state title in the triple jump, has graduated while Coley Ickes chose not run track and Rebekah Nandico moved out of state.
That leaves senior Connor Underwood as the only returner who earned a trip to the state track meet last year. Underwood qualified in the 1600 after competing in 800 and 4x800 relay at sectionals.
Underwood is joined by fellow returning distance running lettermen Wade Schmit, James Walker, Wes Bethel, Cole Cooper, Colton Tweedy and Jilberto Alejo. The boys only other returning letter winner is Donovan Hadley, who will compete in the shot put and discus.
"The senior boys provide great leadership," said coach Darbi Stancell. "The team is very cohesive and have a great time working out together. Our distance runners are very strong and committed to having a great year."
Stancell said the boys should excel in the 800, 1600, 3200, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay, along with the shot put and discus.
Newcomers Jacob Spurlock (pole vault) and Treyton Murphy (distance) are also expected to make an impact.
Leading the girls returners is junior Dakota Bunch. Bunch qualified for sectionals as a sophomore last year in the 400.
She is joined by fellow returning lettermen Faith Owens, Kylie Littlefield, Rachel Brown, Riley Rickman, Becca Sumler, Emily High, Destiny Arnall, Britiny Calvert, Lindsay Limore, Hanna Schmit and Daisy Mitchell.
Owens, High, Littlefield come to track off a strong cross country season and give the Lady Mustangs a strong group of distance runners. Sumler and Limore are expected to have strong seasons in the throws. Brown has improved as a sprinter.
"The girls are a lot like the boys in they have some depth in the distance events," Stancell said. "Much of their leadership comes from underclassmen."
McDonald County opens its season March 26 at the Mustang Stampede at MCHS. This year will be the Mustangs and Lady Mustangs first to compete in the Big 8 Conference meet, which is set for May 7.
The 2015 season will also bring a change to district alignment in track. The Missouri State High School Activities Association has increased the number of classes from four to five.
McDonald County County moves from Class 3 to Class 4 with the change.
"I look for both teams to make an impression at the Big 8 Conference track meet," Stancell said. "But advancing to state will be much more difficult this year with the new district alignment. We hope to advance in several events and at least one relay in both the boys and girls divisions."
Sports on 03/26/2015