2024 Boys Track and Field Finalists

Skyler Still

The junior soared above the competition in the javelin this season, claiming both the MSHSAA Class 3 state championship and the SEMO Conference title. Still's state championship-winning throw of 182 feet, 3 inches highlighted his exceptional ability and propelled him to the top of the podium. His consistent excellence in the event was evident throughout the season, culminating in his impressive state meet performance.

Darius Graham

Senior Darius Graham wins back-to-back state titles by claiming first in the boys high jump by finishing first while breaking a new Class 5 state record and school record by 7 feet, 1 inch. Graham, who has signed to run track and play football at Missouri S & T, finished second in the long jump competition and broke a new school record with a long jump of 24 feet, 3 1/2 inches.

Jonathan Hartmann

Saxony Lutheran senior Jonathan Hartmann was a rookie in the sport but he finished his only season with a state championship. Hartmann won the Class 2 title in the high jump with a mark of 6-06.25, a personal record that led him to walk-on at Southeast Missouri State. He also won the Class 2 District 1 title.

Reed Layton

Woodland senior Reed Layton capped his high school career with another state championship. Layton won the Class 2 championship in the 3,200-meter race with a time of 9:45.78. He placed first in the 800-meter race with a time of 1:58.79. Reed Layton played a role in the Cardinals winning a state championship in the 4x800m relay. Layton led the Cardinals to winning the Class 2 team championship.

Hayden Vangennip

Woodland junior Hayden Vangennip continued the Cardinals’ success on the track with a state championship of his own. He placed first in the 800-meter race with a time of 1:58.79. Hayden Vangennip played a role in the Cardinals winning a state championship in the 4x800m relay. Hayden Vangennip helped Woodland win the Class 2 team championship.

Kent Sheridan

Nobody in the Southeast Missouri area was as good at pole vaulting this year than Kent Sheridan. The Cape Central sophomore finished his second high school track season with Class 5 All-State honors and a third-place medal in the pole vault with a mark of 14-11.50. He won the Class 5 Sectional 1 and Class 5 District 1 title with a mark of 14-00.00.

Kevin Thompson

After a roller-coaster year, Thompson had an outstanding showing at the Class 3 state championships taking home a bronze medal in discus and throwing a new personal record of 47.29 meters.

Christopher Artis Jr.

The Bulldogs’ junior showcased his leaping ability in the long jump this season, securing a silver medal at the MSHSAA Class 5 State Championship Meet with a jump of 22 feet and 10 inches. He also displayed his versatility as a member of the Bulldogs' 4x200 relay team, which placed 14th at the state meet. Earlier in the season, Artis earned a third-place finish in the long jump at the SEMO Conference Meet.

Ben Dowdy

Ben Dowdy along with his teammates, Anistin Kyle, Cameron Bell and Chase Farmer won the Class 3 Boys 4x800 State Championship for the Dexter Bearcats. The squad claimed back-to-back state titles and broke a school record. Dowdy also won a district title in the 3200m.

Namarius Banks-Warren

The senior delivered a stellar all-around performance at the MSHSAA Class 1 State Meet, highlighted by a third-place finish in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.13 seconds. He also demonstrated his versatility by placing fifth in the 400 (51.09 seconds) and fourth in the high jump (6 feet, 0.5 inches). Warren's state meet success was a continuation of his dominance at the SEMO Conference Meet, where he won all three events in the West Division.