MISSOURI STATE MEET

Cardinal Ritter Girls Roll To Fourth Straight Title; Jackson Cantwell Smashes Shot Put Record With 71-11

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

The Cardinal Ritter girls continued their growing legacy this weekend at the MSHSAA State Track and Field Championships bringing home another state title. At Adkins Stadium, in Jefferson City, MO May 24-25, the Lions won their fourth straight Class 5 team title with a dominating 103 points — the third most points put up by a girls team. 

Cardinal Ritter was led by senior Aniyah Brown, who won the 100 (11.60) and was second in the 200 (23.61), while teammate Kyndall Spain claimed the 100 hurdles (13.64), a current US#19, and 300 hurdles (42.53), and ran on the second place 4x400. The team also won the 4x100 and 4x200 relay titles. 

In the distance events, Wildwood’s Natalie Barnard won the 3,200 in a meet record time of 10:32.66 and claimed the 1,600 (4:49.40). 

Other highlights in Class 5 girls action included North Kansas City’s D’marihanna Newton’s meet record in the high jump clearing 5-8.50. 

Paige Stuart of Blue Springs broke the meet record in the 800 of 2:08.11 by running 2:06.90 and she ran on the record-breaking 4x400 (3:48.79). 

In the sprints, A’laji Bradley of Pattonville won the 200 (23.51) and 400 (54.51). 

In Class 5 boys action, one the best throwers in the country, Nixa sophomore Jackson Cantwell, set an all-time state record in the shot put with a throw of 71-11. His throw was more than 15 feet further than the second best throw. He currently has the second-best two in the country (74-9.75). He added a state title in the discus with a throw of 203-03. He currently has a U.S. #6 throw of 205-04. 

In the distance events, Rockhurst’s Andrew Davis won the 800 (1:52.38) and teammate Henry Acorn claimed the 1,600 in 4:06.31, both meet records. 

The Ladue Horton Watkins girls and boys both won Class 4 state titles on Saturday. The girls team put up 68 points winning the 4x200, 4x400 and junior Bella Jones won the high jump title. 

The Lee’s Summit North junior Devan Mathis claimed the 110 hurdles (14.13) and 300 hurdles (37.24). 

In the distance events, Father Tolton’s Elyse Wilmes won the 800 (2:11.50), and 1,600 (4:52.86). 

In the field, senior Madison Fowler of Cor Jesu Academy won the shot put with a top 25 throw in the country of 46-3.25.

Ladue Horton Watkins’ Shaun Roberts claimed the 100 and ran on the winning 4x100. The team also won the 4x400 relay title. 

Class 3A-1A, May 17 & 18

In Class 3A, held May 17 and 18, standout freshman Amya Bills of Central (New Madrid County) won the 100 (12.07), 200 (25.14) and long jump (19-5). In the team race, Incarnate World Academy won the title with 43 points. 

The Lamar boys edged out Eldon by less than five points, 42-37.50 points. 

In the sprints, Metro Academy & Classical senior Jaydon Marley won the 100, 200 and was fourth in the 400. 

In Class 2A, the North Platte girls repeated as state champions with 45 points as junior Lindsey Ramsey led the way with a dominating performance in the sprints, winning the 100 (11.88), 200 (24.32) and 400 (55.03). 

The East Buchanan boys edged out Clark County, 56-52 points for the Class 2A crown, despite three wins from Clark’s Kaden Hamner, who won the 100, 200 and 400 titles (10.66, 21.52 and 48.21). 

In Class 1A, the Rock Port girls tallied 73 points to win the title, while the Mound City boys won the Class 1A title. Mound City's August Meadows ran 38.91 to win the 300-meter hurdles and he also finished second in the 110s.

Team Champions 

Class 5 - Lee’s Summit North boys 63 points, Cardinal Ritter girls 103 points - RESULTS

Class 4 - Ladue Horton Watkins boys 62 points; Ladue Horton Watkins girls 68 points - RESULTS

Class 3 - Lamar boys 42 points; Incarnate World Academy girls 43 points - RESULTS

Class 2 - East Buchanan boys 56 points, North Platte girls 45 points - RESULTS

Class 1 - Mound City boys 45 points, Rock Port girls 73 points - RESULTS