By Matt Turer — mturer@ky3.com
@MattTurer
Willard, Mo. — Jason Pyrah is Willard’s local two-time Olympian. It’s kind of a big deal, so they named a track meet in his honor.
Sydney Pyrah is Jason’s daughter and a freshman at Willard, meaning this was her first chance to run in her dad’s meet. All of this made Thursday just a little bit special for the Pyrah family.
“There was a lot of preparation to do the best that I possibly could,” Sydney said. “Not only for me but for my family because I know this meet means so much to them. I do a lot for my dad and I know how hard he’s ran and trained and I’d like to be like him.”
She’s well on her way. Sydney runs what is essentially the same race Jason ran in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney—the 1,500-meter. Except for Sydney, it’s the 1,600-meter run and the 3,200-meter. Turns out she’s pretty good at it too, already putting up some of the top times in the state.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS OF THURSDAY’S MEET
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Thursday, Sydney finished third (5:21.90) in the 1,600-meter to state-championship favorites Tabitha Weber of Marshfield (5:15.87) and Claire McCune of New Covenant Academy (5:16.99).
“I’m speechless,” Sydney said of running with the likes of Weber and Claire and Katie McCune. “I love the competition. I love running with all the seniors and I’m just looking forward to trying to be the best that I can and trying to stay up with those seniors as long as I possibly can.”
She did that in the 3,200, pushing within a blink of the eye of Weber, who finished .32 seconds ahead of Sydney in that event.
“It’s something where I think Sydney is finding herself and she’s realizing the potential she has,” Jason said. “The last few races have really opened her eyes as to what it means to run with the top people in the state. She’s realizing she has that potential now and she’s gaining more confidence in every race.”
Sydney is named after Sydney, Australia, where Jason Pyrah finished 10th in the world in the 1,500-meter run back in 2000. That Olympic notoriety has created a lasting legacy in Willard and beyond.
“It’s nice to really bring the recognition to Willard more than anything,” Jason said. “To have something that everyone can celebrate. A really high-quality meet that a lot of schools can come in and compete.”
Weber and Nixa’s Blake Procell both received plaques from Jason Pyrah after winning the 1600-meter.
“It’s a big blessing. It really is,” Weber said. “It shows, especially with him being from Willard and being a local, it really shows that even if you are a local person you can make it to the big leagues. It’s really just an inspiration to be able to shake hands with an Olympian and get a plaque that has his name on it.”
Weber continues to progress in her push for a state championship in the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter.
“I ran a lot faster this race than I did my last race, so it shows I’m going in the right direction and everything,” she said. “I’ll have these girls pushing me and I can push them too because it all is a big pack right there, especially when we’re so close like this.”
Nixa’s Jumping Duo Continues To Impress
Meleah Ridenour and Lisette Perez are set up for a special season. The Nixa long- and triple-jumpers are ranked first and second in the state in each event, respectively.
Ridenour participated in just the long jump Thursday, jumping a 16-02.00, first at the meet. Her season-best stands at 17-11.50.
Ridenour took the night off in the triple jump, where her state-best stands at 37-04.00. With Ridenour sitting out, Perez took first at the Invitational with a 35-05.50.
“This year, we actually started off pretty well,” Perez said. “We started off jumping 35s, and just recently we jumped 37s at Ozark [on Tuesday], so we’re on the right track of getting closer to our goal of 38 and we’re just both trying to reach for that.”
Having the two best jumpers in the state in these events from one school is a pretty unique situation and one that Perez certainly appreciates.
“I love it,” she said. “My freshman year I was the only girl that went to state [from Nixa]. Last year we had a bunch of girls go, and it’s just nice to have her next to me. It’s calming and relaxing and nice.”
Boys Pole Vaulting Field Gets More Crowded At 14-Foot Mark
With six area jumpers already stuck on 14 feet coming into Thursday’s meet, the pre-meet storyline would be who could finally break that barrier. For now, that answer is still unknown, but the options have grown.
Carl Junction sophomore Harrison Huhn set a personal record by reaching 14-00 on his third try at the mark. After a quick 14-foot fall to the padding below, Huhn popped up and rightfully celebrated with a wide smile and two thumbs up towards his coach.
“I didn’t think I was going to get a personal record today,” Huhn said. “My back kind of hurts. When I finally got 14 feet it kind of took my by surprise. I got on a pole I’ve never really jumped before. I’ve jumped it but never gotten all the way in on it. Usually I’ll come back down on the runway or have a bad crash with it.”
It was Nixa pole vaulter Joseph Nickell that seemed to have the best shot at breaking 14-00 on Thursday, having already hit the mark this season. Nickel won the event, but like Huhn, faulted on all three tries at 14-06.
Despite the 0-for-3 mark at 14-06, Huhn doesn’t lack for confidence.
“I think I can get 14-6 before the year ends,” he said.
Mauldin, Allphin Set New Marks In 400-meter Photo-Finish
No area runner had broken the 50.00 mark in the 400-meter coming into Thursday’s meet.
Now, two have.
Fair Grove junior Isaac Mauldin (49.693) and Reeds Spring senior Ransom Allphin (49.696) finished within .003 of each other in the event, both passing that elusive 50.00 barrier in the process.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL RESULTS OF THURSDAY’S MEET
CLICK HERE FOR TRACK EVENTS PHOTOS
CLICK HERE FOR FIELD EVENTS PHOTOS
