Pair of seniors, sophomore, freshman taking shot at state qualification

Four Southwest athletes will have the opportunity to qualify for the Class 1 State Track Meet, as they will be competing at the Class 2, Sectional 3 Meet in Buffalo on Saturday.

Southwest seniors Dylan Frost and Tobias Smith, sophomore Sidney Roe, and freshman Race Pippin were all Sectional qualifiers after performances last weekend at the Class 2 District 6 meet at Lamar. 

Frost and Roe each qualified in two events. Frost won the high jump and earned bronze in the long jump, and Roe had an 8-second personal record in the mile, finishing in 5:36, and added an 11-second personal record in the 3200 at 12:44.

Pippin set a personal record in the high jump at 6 feet and placed 4th, He narrowly missed qualifying in the long jump finishing 5th. Smith had a 19-second personal record in the 3200 and earned silver.

“It’s an exciting time of year in track,” said Steve Voyak, Southwest coach. “All four seem to be peaking at the right time. Nothing will be easy at sectional. Everybody wants to qualify for state. Each will need their best performances to advance.” 

Frost, Smith, Roe and Pippin compete Saturday in Buffalo, with the top four in each event there advance to State the following weekend at Jefferson City.

Other highlights from the sectional meet included:

• Junior Lane Hendrix broke his own school record in the javelin, placing 7th in the finals at 37.11 meters. He broke the mark earlier this season at Seneca at 36.69. “I am really proud of Lane,” Voyak said. “Throwing javelin is not easy. He keeps setting goals and achieving them. He has worked for this. His expectations next season will be off the charts.”

• Juniors Cash Harbick and Lucas Ingram both earned personal records and finished 7th in the discus and 200 meters.

• Sophomore Lucias Villacieros was 5th in both the mile and 2-mile.