By Dean Backes
MaxPreps.com
Raytown South sprinters Maurice Mitchell and Maurice Woodard may not run with the same style, but their results pretty much speak for themselves.
Mitchell is long and lean and runs upright, while Woodard resorts to coming out of the blocks low and using power to get to the finish line first. Either way, the Cardinal duo find themselves ranked high on national and Missouri sprinting charts.
“Woodard makes you come and get the win, and then he holds on,” Raytown South track coach Terry Scott said. “Mitchell, on the other hand, just keeps coming on and coming on and coming on. He’ll get you with a strong finish.”
Had it not been for Woodard’s 10.34-second 100-meter performance in early April, Mitchell would have sole possession of the top spot in Missouri’s 100, 200 and 400-meter sprint events. As it is, Mitchell’s 10.40-second 100-meter performance ranks right behind Woodard.
Nationally, Woodard ranks third in the 100 meters. Mitchell sits at sixth nationally in the 100-meters and 31st in the 200 meters (21.43). Despite the natural rivalry that has formed between the teammates, Mitchell and Woodard are good friends.
“They critique and encourage each other,” Scott said. “The whole team is like that. They do what is asked of them. They do what they are ready, willing and able to do. They walk the walk.”
Earlier in the season, Mitchell and Woodard teamed with sophomore Alex Sanders and junior jumper Derek Blevins to churn out a nation leading 1:31.28 clocking in the 800-meter sprint medley relay. That time has held up as the fastest in the nation.
“We sat down as a staff and noticed that most of the special times were coming out of the states of Texas, California and Florida,” Scott recalled. “We started thinking, ‘hey we’re the Show Me State so let’s show them what we’re capable of doing.’ "
The coaching staff did the math and put together a dream team of sprinters that finished tops in the nation. Now they have set their sights on the 4x100 relay at the Missouri state high school track and field meet in Jefferson City.
Woodard has been clocked at 10.9 while running the first leg through the curves. Blevins, who makes his living participating in the long and triple jump, has blazed to a 10.3 second leg. Following Sanders 10.9 third leg through the curves, again, Mitchell is the Cardinals’ closer.
Scott says his team has a good chance of placing high at the state track meet later in May. But until then, the Cardinals still have to get through their sectional and district meets.
“We have a chance to win the state meet,” Scott said. “It’s always our goal to get a trophy. But the prize is No. 1.”
Mitchell and Woodard will lead the way for the Cardinals at the state meet in the sprints, while Blevins sits atop the Missouri leader board in the long jump (23-6) and triple jump (48-3 1/4). Mitchell is the defending champion in the 100-meters (10.42), 200-meters (20.96) and the 400-meters (47.60).
His 100-meter time tied the state meet record, while his 200-meter performance re-established the state meet record formerly held by Dominic Peterson (Jefferson City) and Paul Chaney (St. Louis).
Missouri Boys Track and Field Leaders
100 Meters
Maurice Woodard, Raytown South, 10.34
Maurice Mitchell, Raytown South, 10.40
Fred Taylor, Maplewood-Richmond Heights, 10.59
Garren Hendricks, Hazelwood Central, 10.60
Walter Williams, Eureka, 10.70
Mark Morgan, Kansas City Central, 10.76
Jordan Myles, Parkway Central, 10.83
Carlos Anderson, Blue Springs, 10.84
200 Meters
Maurice Mitchell, Raytown South, 21.43
Mark Morgan, Kansas City Central, 21.79
Walter Williams, Eureka, 21.90
Garren Hendricks, Hazelwood Central, 22.00
Sam Scott, Waynesville, 22.01
Marquis White, North Tech, 22.15
Denodus O’Bryant, Washington, 22.16
Carlos Anderson, Blue Springs, 22.21
400 Meters
Maurice Mitchell, Raytown South, 48.88
D’Angelo Woods, Marquette, 49.40
Sam Scott, Waynesville, 49.52
Terrance Johnson, Marquette, 49.60
Tarrell Downing, Hazelwood East, 49.75
Charles Dunbar, Lutheran North, 50.10
Alex Walters, Park Hill South, 50.10
Alex Whiteside, St. Charles West, 50.20
800 Meters
Darwin Price, Normandy, 1:56.10
Jeff Kaiser, Columbia Rock Bridge, 1:57.70
Caleb Mitchell, Southwest (Washburn), 1:58.91
Prince Nwokorie, Jefferson City, 1:59.20
Joe Skelton, Potosi, 1:59.38
Sam Jones, Ozark, 1:59.49
Chase Johnson, Springfield Central, 1:59.51
John Williams, East Newton, 1:59.57
1,600 Meters
Darwin Price, Normandy, 4:17.50
Patrick Keeley, Francis Howell, 4:19.80
Aaron Minsk, Principia, 4:23.60
Rick Elliott, Springfield Kickapoo, 4:23.98
Nick Niggemann, Potosi, 4:24.48
Jaryd Gregory, Carthage, 4:26.14
Danny Thater, Springfield Kickapoo, 4:26.63
Joey Walls, Columbia Hickman, 4:27.00
3,200 Meters
Rick Elliott, Springfield Kickapoo, 9:24.47
Darwin Price, Normandy, 9:24.66
Patrick Keeley, Francis Howell, 9:25.34
Phil Bascio, Christian Brothers College, 9:28.17
Sam Masters, Columbia Hickman, 9:29.85
Nick Niggemann, Potosi, 9:30.11
Kevin Colon, Lee’s Summit West, 9:35.74
Nick Happe, Francis Howell North, 9:36.53
110 Hurdles
Keyen Porter, Blue Springs South, 14.14
Andre’ McDonald, Park Hill, 14.22
Prentice Ivy, Chaminade, 14.70
Tyler Shaw, Lutheran North, 14.70
Owen Allphin, Reeds Spring, 14.76
Karingus Belton, University City, 14.77
Kerwin Stricker, Washington, 14.80
Jeremy Bankston, Parkway North, 14.80
300 Hurdles
Andre’ McDonald, Park Hill, 38.49
Vincent Howze, Raymore-Peculiar, 38.64
Jeremy Bankston, Parkway North, 38.69
Lucas Bateman, Waynesville, 39.01
Kerwin Stricker, Washington, 39.11
Karingus Belton, University City, 39.12
Jordan Dodd, Blue Springs, 39.61
Dustin Meak, Platte County, 39.65
4x100 Relay
Raytown South, 41.86
Hazelwood East, 42.19
Hazelwood Central, 42.50
Kansas City Central, 42.91
Blue Springs, 43.03
Park Hill South, 43.10
McCluer, 43.10
Ritenour, 43.10
4x200 Relay
Hazelwood Central, 1:28.12
Blue Springs, 1:28.59
Hazelwood East, 1:29.28
Raytown South, 1:29.50
Columbia Rock Bridge, 1:29.73
McCluer North, 1:30.16
Waynesville, 1:30.23
Washington, 1:30.40
Raymore-Peculiar, 1:30.40
4x400 Relay
Waynesville, 3:20.89
Blue Springs, 3:21.26
Hazelwood East, 3:21.64
Hazelwood Central, 3:21.65
Lincoln College Prep, 3:24.16
Lafayette (Wildwood), 3:24.55
Webster Groves, 3:25.00
Jefferson City, 3:25.00
4x800 Relay
Columbia Hickman, 8:07.30
Francis Howell, 8:09.42
College Heights Christian, 8:10.10
Lafayette (Wildwood), 8:10.77
Lee’s Summit West, 8:13.10
Jefferson City, 8:13.20
Normandy, 8:15.10
Lebanon, 8:15.12
High Jump
James White, Grandview, 7-0
David Selby, Reeds Spring, 6-8
Freddie Moore, Pattonville, 6-7
Josh Sutton, North County, 6-6
Phillips, Mount Vernon, 6-6
DeAndre Vandevender, Trenton, 6-6
Craig Arnzen, Scott City, 6-6
Steven Hille, Steelville, 6-5
Long Jump
Derek Blevins, Raytown South, 23-6
Andre’ McDonald, Park Hill, 22-11 1/4
DeAndre Vandevender, Trenton, 22-8 1/2
James Correa, Troy Buchanan, 22-3 1/4
DeMarco Payne, Hazelwood East, 22-3
Elijah Thomas, Webster Groves, 22-2
James White, Grandview, 22-0 1/2
John Hinchey, Kearney, 22-0
Triple Jump
Derek Blevins, Raytown South, 48-3 1/4
Michael Izuchukwu, Lafayette (Wildwood), 46-9 1/2
Isaac Johnson, McCluer, 46-5
Jarell Childs, Oak Park, 46-2
Ayo Akinmoladun, Grandview, 46-1
Laron Harley, Lee’s Summit, 45-9 1/4
DC Okonta, Liberty, 45-9
Myles Moody, John Burroughs, 45-8 1/2
Shot Put
Seth Hackney, Carl Junction, 60-0
James Coleman, Marquette, 57-3 1/2
Brooks Mosier, Lee’s Summit West, 57-0
Kyle Hoyt, Trenton, 56-8
Brian Chiles, Lee’s Summit, 56-3 1/2
Travis Ruth, Jefferson City, 56-3
Ryan Johnson, Grandview, 54-6
Jon Bailey, North Kansas City, 54-5 1/2
Discus
James Coleman, Marquette, 185-10
Jon Petroff, Parkway Central, 181-6
Gus Toca, Blue Springs, 170-1
Kyle Hoyt, Trenton, 169-1
Ben Scarato, Parkway Central, 166-0
Curtis Yancy, MICDS, 161-1 1/2
Zak Thompson, Willard, 159-7 1/2
Kord Stancell, McDonald County, 159-1
Pole Vault
Duggen Grant, Winnetonka, 15-6
Ryan Rethy, DeSmet Jesuit, 14-0
Zach Carey, Jefferson City, 14-0
Colby Snyder, Joplin, 14-0
Taylor Manaco, Lee’s Summit West, 14-0
Kevin Hays, Truman, 14-0
Luke Williams, Lee’s Summit North, 14-0
Nick Homan, Troy Buchanan, 13-7
Barrett Estes, West Plains, 13-7
Missouri Girls Track and Field Leaders
100 Meters
Alishea Usery, McCluer South-Berkeley, 11.55
Shakira Thomas, North Tech, 11.97
Lindsay Vollmer, Hamilton Penney, 12.02
Lauren Hollingsworth, Villa Duchesne, 12.03
Raequel Jacobs, Parkway Central, 12.13
Alexis Bates, St. Joseph Central, 12.22
Taylor Gadbois, Maryville, 12.22
Alexis Jenkins, Glendale, 12.31
200 Meters
Myles, Parkway Central, 24.14
Little, Riverview Gardens, 24.14
Alishea Usery, McCluer South-Berkeley, 24.41
Lauren Hollingsworth, Villa Duchesne, 24.69
Olivia Lewis, Gateway, 25.16
Racquel Powell, Raytown South, 25.39
Cara Forte, Center, 25.48
Raequel Jacobs, Parkway Central, 25.50
400 Meters
Alishea Usery, McCluer South-Berkeley, 54.61
Kianna Ruff, McCluer South-Berkeley, 55.30
Cydney Ross, Villa Duchesne, 56.50
Racquel Powell, Raytown South, 57.54
Lauren Hollingsworth, Villa Duchesne, 57.70
Jaronica Owens, McCluer, 57.70
Landon Wachter, Jackson, 58.40
Alyssa Allison, Festus, 58.61
800 Meters
Alyssa Allison, Festus, 2:13.40
Cydney Ross, Villa Duchesne, 2:15.68
Lauren Borduin, Columbia Rock Bridge, 2:15.84
Chelsea Chrisman, Eureka, 2:16.52
Diane Robison, Parkway Central, 2:17.75
Samantha Levin, Ladue, 2:18.40
Lauren Johnson, Parkway Central, 2:18.80
Liz Reida, Nixa, 2:18.82
1600 Meters
Alyssa Allison, Festus, 4:59.56
Diane Robison, Parkway Central, 5:03.60
Lauren Borduin, Columbia Rock Bridge, 5:06.90
Chelsea Chrisman, Eureka, 5:07.60
Elizabeth Keaveny, St. Theresa’s Academy, 5:08.50
Cydney Ross, Villa Duchesne, 5:09.70
Krista Menghini, St. Joseph’s Academy, 5:10.30
Liz Reida, Nixa, 5:13.29
3,200 Meters
Alyssa Allison, Festus, 10:59.00
Aimee Bonte, Rockwood Summit, 11:01.39
Diane Robison, Parkway Central, 11:05.10
Hilary Orf, Marquette, 11:11.76
Ashley Scott, St. Clair, 11:20.55
Brittany Tate, Lee’s Summit West, 11:21.00
Krista Menghini, St. Joseph’s Academy, 11:21.80
Sarah White, Potosi, 11:22.96
100 Hurdles
Precious Selmon, Crystal City, 14.28
Tiffani McReynolds, Pembroke Hill, 14.34
Jordan Stiens, Maryville, 14.94
Lindsay Vollmer, Hamilton (Penney), 15.07
Tyrisha Chambers, Center, 15.10
Unique Hooks, Raytown South, 15.30
Leslie Farmer, Jefferson City, 15.32
Sarah Noonan, Kirkwood, 15.33
300 Hurdles
Tiffani McReynolds, Pembroke Hill, 45.00
Lindsay Vollmer, Hamilton (Penney), 45.20
Precious Selmon, Crystal City, 45.25
Jordan Stiens, Maryville, 45.30
Leslie Farmer, Jefferson City, 45.74
Cyarra Prince, Affton, 46.26
Gracie Prewitt, Bolivar, 46.33
Tiera Jones, Hazelwood East, 46.37
4x100 Relay
McCluer South-Berkeley, 48.54
Ladue Horton Watkins, 49.49
Cardinal Ritter, 49.70
McCluer, 49.88
University City, 49.92
Raytown South, 50.24
Lincoln College Prep, 50.30
Francis Howell Central, 50.60
4x200 Relay
McCluer South-Berkeley, 1:43.81
Ladue Horton Watkins, 1:44.30
Center, 1:45.13
Cardinal Ritter, 1:45.55
Kirkwood, 1:45.84
University City, 1:45.94
Parkway Central, 1:46.10
Gateway, 1:46.11
4x400 Relay
McCluer South-Berkeley, 3:49.12
Kansas City Central, 3:53.22
Ladue Horton Watkins, 3:54.81
Eureka, 3:59.05
Parkway Central, 3:59.60
Cardinal Ritter, 3:59.84
Carrollton, 4:00.85
Cape Girardeau Central, 4:08.47
4x800 Relay
Parkway Central, 9:34.50
McCluer South-Berkeley, 9:37.67
Eureka, 9:44.43
Festus, 9:46.88
Lee’s Summit West, 9:52.33
Kearney, 9:55.33
Jefferson City, 9:56.82
Ruskin, 9:57.70
High Jump
DeVonna Smith, Kirkwood, 5-6
Stacy Swineburg, Camdenton, 5-6
Paige Peltzer, Atchison, 5-4
Morgan Whitson, Moberly, 5-4
Lindsay Vollmer, Hamilton (Penney), 5-4
Lisa Vengels, Dixon, 5-4
Rosemary Semke, Orchard Farm, 5-4
Erin Alewine, Jefferson City, 5-4
Brooke Hamilton, El Dorado Springs, 5-4
Heather Hileman, Jackson, 5-4
Davina President, Riverview Gardens, 5-4
Precious Selmon, Crystal City, 5-4
Long Jump
Precious Selmon, Crystal City, 19-0 1/4
Arteshia Williams, Ruskin, 18-10
Lindsay Vollmer, Hamilton (Penney), 18-4
Jade Nalls, Raytown South, 18-4
Emequa Owens, McCluer, 17-8 3/4
Brynn Williamson, Oak Park, 17-7
Lauren Hollingsworth, Villa Duchesne, 17-6 1/2
Sarah Wakeman, Blue Springs South, 17-5
Triple Jump
Jalexis Peterson, Lincoln College Prep, 37-11 1/2
Arteshia Williams, Ruskin, 37-3 1/2
Ashane Johnson, Moberly, 37-1 3/4
Sarah Noonan, Kirkwood, 36-11
Stephanie Johnson, Jefferson City, 36-8 1/2
Brass, East Newton, 36-5 1/2
Lynnette Cottingham, Lee's Summit, 36-3
Brittney Cloudy, Marquette, 36-2
Shot Put
Katie Evans, Putnam County, 44-8
Lakeisha McKnight, Raytown, 44-3 1/2
Brittany Borman, Festus, 43-8 1/2
Jasmine Boyer, Fort Zumwalt West, 43-2 1/2
Jill Rushin, Jackson, 42-4 1/2
Cortni Ervin, Marshall, 41-11 1/2
Roxanne Koke, Waynesville, 41-11
Bianca Lockette, McCluer North, 41-5 1/2
Discus
Brittany Borman, Festus, 144-1
Kylie Jones, Webb City, 143-7
Megan Collins, Lee's Summit North, 143-4 3/4
Jasmine Boyer, Fort Zumwalt West, 137-2
Jelani Kelly, Hazelwood Central, 135-11
Jill Rushin, Jackson, 134-3
Katie Evans, Putnam County, 133-11
Teresa Gaggens, Belton, 127-11 1/2
Pole Vault
Hannah Cooper, Excelsior Springs, 12-0
Abby Garlich, Lee's Summit, 11-6
Michelle Lange, Ladue, 11-3
Shelby Franklin, Monroe City, 11-0
Bethany Buell, Rockwood Summit, 11-0
Maggie Givens, Branson, 10-9
Sydney Haase, Kearney, 10-7
Holly Stewart, Lee’s Summit West, 10-6
