Woodland track and field team qualifies record number of athletes to state meet

Woodland Track and Field team breaks records, advancing 14 athletes to the Missouri State Championship. The boys' team emerged victorious at Districts while the girls' team secured six event qualifications.

Hayden VanGennip starts the race with the baton for the 4x400 meter relay.Submitted by Alisa VanGennip

The boys 4x800 relay members circle up for their pre-race prayer.Submitted by Alisa VanGennip

The Woodland Track and Field team qualified a record number of athletes for the Missouri State High School Athletics Association State Championship meet. After the boys team won the Class 2, District 1 meet on May 4, they prepared for the Sectional meet, a qualifier event. The top four competitors in each event earned the right to compete at State. Eight of their entries will advance to the final level of competition. The girls, who were District runners-up, advanced six events from Sectionals. These athletes will compete at State in Jefferson City on May 17-18.

Class 2, Sectional 1 - state qualifiers

Sectional champions:

Reed Layton- mile
Hayden VanGennip - 800 (new school record of 2:00.55)
Reed Layton, Calvin Layton, Merlin Tucker, Hayden VanGennip - 4x800 relay

Second place:

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Reed Layton- 2 mile
Millie Bazzell - pole vault

Third place:

Calvin Layton - 2 mile
Harlie Hinkle - discus

Fourth place:

London Cureton - pole vault
Hannah Vawter - 100 m hurdles
Calvin Layton - mile
Harlie Hinkle - shot put
Kamren McCormick - javelin
Hayden VanGennip, Merlin Tucker, Bryer Sauls, Colby Miller - 4x400 relay
Presley Ridings, Shirley Hendricks, Kaydence Stause, Faith Rouggly - 4x800 relay