Wildcats place third and fourth at Monett

The Cassville Wildcats claimed third place in the boys team standings at the Monett Relays last Thursday. McDonald County won the meet with 116 points, followed by Carl Junction with 105 and Cassville with 97.

Even though the Mustangs won the meet, David Large's Wildcats moved a step closer to winning an elusive Big 8 Conference track title. Cassville has not won a Big 8 title since Large took over.

Sixteen teams competed in the meet, including seven of the Big 8 schools. Only Aurora was not present for what seemed to be a Big 8 preview. Cassville performed predictably well in the sprints, hurdles and field events, but was shut out in every distance event except the 4x800 meter relay.

Large knows he is unlikely to score in the 1,600 and 3,200 events at conference but is hoping to squeeze precious points from the 400- and 800-meter runs.

At Monett, Cassville claimed gold in both the 4x100 and 4x200 meter relays, posting times of 44.72 and 1:33.5, respectively.

Trevor Shumaker won the 100-meter dash in 11.19 with Devin Linenbrink taking fifth in 11.52.

Josh Lewright won the 200-meter dash in 23.2 with Shumaker finishing second in 23.43. Lewright also took second in the 400-meter dash in 53.84.

Cody Frana placed second in both hurdle events, running the highs in 16.13 and the 300s in 43.49.

The Wildcats placed fifth in the 4x800 with a 9:41.0.

Field events

Lewright earned Cassville's only gold medal in the field events, winning the triple jump with a 41'3.25" effort. Linenbrink leaped 19' 2" to place third in the long jump. Garrett Mahurin's 41'6" throw was good for fourth in the shot, and Scott Marshall cleared 5'6" for fifth in the high jump.

Ladycats finish fourth

The Cassville girls placed fourth at Monett, scoring 90 points. Carl Junction won the meet with 154.5 points with McDonald County taking second with 116. Monett finished third with 94.

Cassville won both the sprint relays and collected an individual gold medal with Calisia Brookes' 13.08 in the 100-meter dash. Risa Darveaux cleared 5'0" for second in the high jump and finished second in the 100 behind Brookes.

The Lady Wildcats finished third in the 4x400 and 4x800 meter relays.

Danielle Pianalto and Reba Dupont placed third and fifth in the 200-meter dash. Sydney Beuterbaugh took fourth in the 300-meter hurdles, and Deborah Kern claimed sixth in the 800-meter dash.

Katelyn Pitts threw the discus 84'1" for a thid place medal, Pianalto finished fourth in the triple jump, and Brookes placed fifth in the long jump.