Mustangs Compete In Sectionals
BARTON TO COMPETE IN CHAMPIONSHIPS
The McDonald County High School track team competed in the Class 4,
Sectional 3, meet on May 19 in Carthage.
Peyton Barton is a four-sport athlete whose best sport might just be one he didn’t take up until he was a senior at McDonald County High School.
Barton will be the lone Mustang competing at the Missouri Class Four State Track and Field Championships this weekend in Jefferson City after finishing third in the discus at the Class 4, Sectional 3, meet held May 19 in Carthage.
The MCHS senior fell almost 12-feet short of his district effort with a best of 135-5 at sectionals but, with all eight throwers fighting a strong wind, the effort was good enough for third and a state berth.
Nathan Swadley led a Willard 1-2 finish with a throw of 157-2. Teammate Joshua McGuire was second with a throw of 136-10. The final state qualifying spot went to Oscar Campa of Carthage, who took fourth with a toss of 130-2.
Barton, who quarterbacked the Mustang football team to a 5-5 record this past season, also started on the basketball team as a senior. In the spring, as a freshman and sophomore, he played baseball but missed his junior year of basketball and baseball after tearing an ACL in the final football game of the season.
“I didn’t know what I wanted to do in the spring for sure,” Barton said. “It feels good to make it to state. It’s been a surprise that I have done this well. I want to make the top four at state.”
Henri Whitehead, head boys’ track coach, said Barton will be a great example to other kids who hadn’t competed in track to give it a chance.
“Barton’s story is one I hope everyone in high school listens to,” Whitehead said. “He finally goes out for track and, all of a sudden, he is going to state in Class 4. That’s a huge accomplishment.”
The Mustangs’ other throw at sectionals was Elliott Wolfe. Wolfe finished eighth in the shot put with a throw of 45-4. The MCHS junior and Dylan Scaggs, a junior from West Plains who finished seventh with a throw of 45-11, were competing against six seniors.
Swadley added a win in the shot put (60-2.25) to go with his win in the discus and fourth in the javelin, while McGuire was third (53-3).
“Elliott probably had the highest hill to climb at sectionals,” Whitehead said. “He battled some ailments this week and still came out and did his job.”
Zack Woods, McDonald County’s returning state qualifier, came up short in his bid to return to the state championships. Woods finished in a tie for seventh by clearing 12-0.
“Zach obviously didn’t vault his best,” said Cody Hobbs, pole vault coach. “He is very disappointed. His plant wasn’t there today. Luckily, he is a junior and he can get some redemption next year.”
Cassadi Dowd led the Lady Mustangs and just missed a qualifying spot with a fifthplace finish in the 800. Dowd finished in 2:29.55, a personal best for the year and near her all-time best. Mikayla Reed of Washington won the race in a time 2:18.57. The final state berth went to Claire Ayers in a time of 2:22.74.
“Cassie’s goal today was to break 2:30 and she did for the first time this year,” said Darbi Stancell, girls’ coach. “She came in seeded eighth and took fifth. We couldn’t ask for anything more.”
Dowd also ran a leg on the 4x800 relay that took eighth place in a time of 10:54.90. Washington won the event in a time of 9:45.95.
Dowd was joined on the relay by Ragan Wilson, Adyson Sanny and Addy Mick.
“It wasn’t their best performance,” Stancell said. “I think they are disappointed with themselves, but I am proud they got this far.”
Barton will compete at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 25, at Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City.