Mixing boredom and athleticism together is apparently dangerous, especially when it comes in the form of Chase Allen.
After only throwing javelin during track season since eighth grade, Nixa’s 6-foot-7 Iowa State Football signee decided it was time for a change.
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“I’ve been in the weight room doing my workouts and throwing some javelin and I got bored,” said Allen. “I decided to come out and worked something out with coach where I can still get my workouts in, but still have practice time and it was a positive outcome today.”
On a windy day, Allen ran a 16.3 100M hurdle to edge School of the Ozark’s Keaton Tillack. Tillack is a four-time all-state hurdler. It was also the eighth fastest time in program history for Nixa.
Allen, who was the best javelin thrower in the Ozarks last year, won the event again on Thursday with a 149’2” toss. He also finished eighth in the triple jump (37’11”), his first time ever competing in the event.
“It wasn’t pretty and I definitely have some things to work on at practice, but I was really shocked by the outcome; I wasn’t expecting that kind of performance,” said Allen. “Hopefully we can fix it up and have it ready by the end of the year.”
For Allen, this is the first time competing without the pressure of a college decision hanging over his head. While he continues to make adding mass and strength for next year a priority, he is also planning to battle through the soreness and try his hand in whatever event Nixa needs him.
His final season as an Eagle could see him become a three-sport all-state athlete.
“I tried triple jump today and it wasn’t my thing, but I’m planning on trying some high jump and maybe the discus,” said Allen. “This is just a lot of fun because it’s really low stress. I’m able to just relax and enjoy being on a team and competing this spring for the final time at Nixa.”
Reeds Spring looks strong in start
Few programs are more excited about getting back to track season than Reeds Spring; as cliché as it sounds, the Wolves have some unfinished business.
After qualifying first in the 4x100M and 4x200M relay in last year’s MSHSAA Class 3 prelims, the Wolves stumbled to fifth and third place finishes in the finals. Good, but not quite what they were looking for.
On Thursday Reeds Spring appeared to be in midseason form, winning the 4x100M (44.44) and 4x200M (1:30.51), edging COC Large foes Republic and Willard respectively.
While the win isn’t shocking, how it came about is.
Due to turf being installed at the high school, the Wolves have had limited access to a track ahead of Thursday’s meet.
“We’ve had very little track time this year,” said senior Hunter Flett. “We’ve barely seen an actual track so we’re treating meets like a glorified. This is the first time we’ve gotten to really go full speed all year and it felt like we picked it up where we left off last year. We’re excited about it and the work it’ll take to keep going.”
Flett took it one step further by edging Republic standout Jerney Jones in 100M (11.79). Jones is the defending Class 4 state champion in the long jump and posted one of the area’s top times in the 100M and 200M.
“I try not to worry about classes and just look at who I’m racing,” said Flett. “But coming out and getting first is always a nice confidence boost this early in the season. This is what we’ve prepared for all offseason.”
Teammate Korey Robinette finished third in the 100M and 200M, while also running on Reeds Spring’s relay teams. Matt Krulic won the 400M (52.16) and also anchored the Wolves first-place 4x400M relay.
Krulic also finished second in the high jump, falling to senior classmate Gabe Corn (6’3”).
Reeds Spring ran away with the boys title, scoring 131 points to edge Nixa’s 109, and the Wolves will be a darkhorse for a top-four finish in this year’s state meet.
Last year’s trip to state has changed the way Flett and Wolves approach each meet, something that is unlikely to change moving forward.
“Going to state, seeing how big it is and seeing all the high-level competitors from all the classes makes these meets a little less stressful, but you still want to go out and treat every meet the same,” said Flett.
Stanfield still strong
Brooke Stanfield and winning are just two things that have gone together in the Ozarks.
The Drury signee continued that on Thursday, winning the 200M (26.93) and high jump (5’2”), while also leading Republic’s 4x200M relay (1:52.46) to first and the Lady Tigers 4x100M relay (53.63) to second.
The 4x200M relay was one of the day’s best races with Stanfield chasing down Ozark’s Ryley Thixton in the event’s final 10 meters.
“I don’t think I realized how far behind we were until Ozark got the baton,” said Stanfield. “I didn’t think I could catch her but I just kept pushing. I like track, but running isn’t the most fun thing to do. Chasing people adds a different element to it and takes your mind off of the fact you’re just running. I enjoy that aspect of it and chasing someone down is always a good feeling.”
Finding three medals was Republic freshman Avylina Powell-Qualo.
She finished eighth in the high jump due to scratches, but her 4’10” jump tied for the third highest of the day. She also ran the third leg on Republic’s 4x100M and 4x200M relay, handing the baton to Stanfield each time.
The senior and freshman share nearly every event and Stanfield has essentially become a player-coach in helping guide what could be Republic’s next star.
“It’s fun having her,” said Stanfield. “It’s usually us jumping and being the oldest one I feel like I’ve taken on a leadership role and it’s fun to see her grow; I love being able to help her and see the results in meets. She’s going to do really well. We are going to keep pushing each other and see what happens.”
Republic finished fifth on the girls side, with Ozark’s 122.5 points running away with the meet title.
Senior Joselyn Nuckolls had four podium finishes with the 4x100M, 4x200M, 4x400M and the high jump.
