Roe, Smith compete in distance runs at Class 2 state

Dylan Frost capped an incredible senior season at Southwest High School by placing tied for 4th with a leap of 1.83 meters in the high jump finals at the 100th running of the Class 2 State Track and Field Championship at Jefferson City High School.

He tied with Senior Patrick White, of Salisbury, who also made his first two jumps.

Frost became the first Southwest All-State track athlete since Robert Humphries pulled off a rare double in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter two years ago. Frost was ranked in the top 5 in the state for most of the season after setting the school record at 6-foot-4 or 1.95 meters.

“We stress consistency to athletes all the time,” said Coach Steve Voyak. “He had some nerves at state for sure but he delivered on two critical jumps while a bunch of other guys faltered. He won the high jump at nine meets this season, including conference and district. That’s consistency.

“But, I am more proud of his maturation beyond track. His academics were a mess as a freshman and sophomore but he got those fixed as an upperclassman, graduated and has plans beyond high school for a technical college and is considering becoming an electrician.”

Additionally, Southwest Sophomore Sidney Roe ran a 20-second personal record and placed 10th in the 3200-meter run in 12:20.91. She was also 14th in the 1600-meter run in 5:38.53. 

Senior Tobias Smith finished 16th in the 3200-meter run on Friday in 11:14.46. He completed his senior season qualifying for state in both cross country and track.

“Running distance is so unforgiving,” Voyak said. “They put in so many miles in the heat, cold, rain, wind. They just run and run and then train some more. Sid overcame some early-season injuries and ran a great final race against some staunch competition. And Tobi’s hard work all season ended with a trip to the state meet and now he is considering running at Crowder College next season.”