Bulldog boys earn third place at the state meet

Kearney, Mo., June 2, 2023: It’s time for the Bulldogs to raise another banner.

The Kearney High School Girls Track and Field team garnered gold with 52 points in the Class 4 state championships on May 26-27 in Jefferson City. This is the first time in school history that the girls’ team has won state in that sport.

“I thought this season could have the potential to be something very special for a tough group of girls,” Head Coach Geoff Hutton said. “They remained focused all spring, taking it week by week and meet by meet. This group of athletes had all of their dreams and hard work come to fruition.”

KHS scored individual championship points in the 4×800 Relay (Jadyn Barnes, Jordin Vaughn, Liela Murphy, Caitlyn Wood). Eva Lawless repeated as the champion in the Triple Jump, and Jadyn Barnes once again claimed the gold medal in the 800.

The KHS Boys Track and Field team took third place with 47 points, evidence of their ongoing dominance as a Track and Field powerhouse after last year’s state championship. They were paced by Zach Grace and Luke Noland with 12 points apiece.

“I cannot express how proud I am of these boys and this senior class,” Head Coach Scott Crall said. “I thank them for everything that they have given to this school, community, and program. Not only are they phenomenal talents in track and field, but they are amazing young men that will be positive men in our society. It’s hard to say goodbye to this group, but we have great kids ready to fill the roles for years to come, and I am very excited for the coming years!”

As they arrived back in their hometown, the Bulldogs were escorted by the Kearney Police Department and Kearney Fire and Rescue Protection District to KHS late on Saturday, May 27. Boosters lined the route cheering on the two teams as they drove by in their buses. All of this year’s KHS Track & Field state championship competitors and coaches will be honored during the KSD Board of Education meeting on June 21.

KHS Girls Track & Field State Meet Results

State Champions   (10 points each)

• 4×800 Relay: Jadyn Barnes, Jordin Vaughn, Liela Murphy, Caitlyn Wood
• Triple Jump:  Ava Lawless (second year in a row)
• 800:  Jadyn Barnes  (second year in a row)

2nd Place   (8 points each)

• 100 HH:  Ava Lawless
• Long Jump:  Ava Lawless

5th Place  (4 points)

• 4×400 Relay: Jadyn Barnes, Caitlyn Wood, Liela Murphy, Addy Davis

7th Place  (2 points)

• Discus:  Alli Poage

13th Place

• Pole Vault:  Anna Willams

14th Place

• 3200:  Abbi McQuillen

15th Place

• 1600:  Olivia Brock

16th Place

• 800:  Jordin Vaughn
• 1600:  Alex Kinstler
• 3200:  Heidi Adams

KHS Boys Track & Field State Championship Results

• Zach Proctor – 2nd place in the High Jump
• Zach Grace – 2nd in the Discus and 5th in the Shot Put 
• Luke Noland – 3rd in the 110 Hurdles and 3rd in the Long Jump
• Aiden Smith – 4th Place in the Javelin  
• Kyler Chappell – 5th-place 4x400m Relay team that is now the school record; 10th in the 800m
• Joe Marshall – 5th-place school record-holding 4x400m Relay team
• Grant Noland – 5th in the 300m Hurdles; 5th-place 4x400m Relay school-record team
• Brock Colhour – 5th-Place 4x400m Relay school-record team
• Theo Grace – 7th place in the javelin