Cassville track squads aim to peak in May

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

The Cassville boys track and field team enters the 2026 season with a focus on steady improvement and postseason performance as the Wildcats build toward the state series.

For the boys, Coach Clay Weldy said the season is all about steady improvement and peaking at the right time.

“Our goals are to get better as the season progresses and to be peaking in May when we get to districts, sectionals and state,” he said.

Cassville returns a large group of contributors from last season, including: Peyton Anderson, Kamden Beebe, Mace Bredeson, Noah Driskill, Preston Driskill, Wesley Garner, Brody Howell, Jacob Hudson, Ricky Norris, Logan Parsons, Jarrett Paul, Tyler Rattigan, Corbin Rhoads and Brextin Sprague 

The Wildcats also bring in a sizable group of newcomers expected to compete for roles, including; Vynnie Arguelles, Carlos Barrientos, Colton Beebe, Vincent Buttrum, Jack Chappell, Andon Goutney, Gunner Knight, Isaac Luney, Donavan Mikesh, Zach Myers, Cash Smith, Kaid Williams, Clay Williamson and Dade Zajac.

Leadership will be a key factor, with a senior class expected to set the tone across events.

“Vynnie Arguelles, Wesley Garner, Andon Goutney, Jacob Hudson, Gunner Knight, Isaac Luney, Tyler Rattigan, Corbin Rhoads and Kaid Williams — we want them to lead by example first, and that is through hard work and doing things the right way,” Weldy said. “We want them to be extensions of the coaching staff at practice and at meets as well.”

With the season just underway, Weldy said it will take time to identify strengths.

“This early in the season it’s hard to tell what our strengths are; we will find out more as we go throughout the season,” Weldy said.

Improvement remains a consistent emphasis across all areas.

“We can always improve in each area,” Weldy said.

Cassville will host its lone home meet in April.

“We get one home meet each year and ours is on Tuesday, April 21,” Weldy said.

The schedule is designed to prepare the Wildcats for postseason competition.

“We always have a good meet schedule and I feel like it will prepare us for the conference meet and the state Series,” Weldy said.

Weldy said the team’s balance across events is a defining characteristic.

“We have a good group of seniors and they represent every part of the track team,” Weldy said. “There are sprinters, distance runners, jumpers, throwers, and we have a pole vaulter and a hurdler in the group as well. So it’s a well rounded group of kids.”

Cassville also returns experience from a state-qualifying relay team.

“We return two guys that were part of a state qualifying 4×100 Relay team: Kamden Beebe and Mace Bredeson,” Weldy said.

On the girls’ side, Coach Erin Flehmer said the Lady Wildcats’ goals are similar.

“We want to improve every time we step onto the track or in the ring,” she said. “We are working hard, and there is always room for growth on the track.”

Claire Reuter, Brynn Whittenburg and Kayli Anderson are the returning letterwinners from last year. 

“They are working hard and continuing to get better,” Flehmer said. “We also have several freshmen this year that look to contribute to our success.”

Flehmer said Reuter and Anderson have taken on the leadership roles for the squad, and the team is most excited for the home meet, also on April 21 in conjunction with the boys.

Outside of that meet, Flehmer said the schedule this year is honed in on evaluating postseason competition.

“Our schedule is set to see other schools outside of the Big 8 to see some of the schools in our district,” Flehmer said. “We are a young team with a lot of potential.”