Sports
Springfield area top Class 4-5 performances
Jackson Cantwell: Miami football recruit nearly breaks shot put record
Nixa 2026 offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell finished one centimeter behind the NFHS shot put record while capturing his third straight state championship.
JEFFERSON CITY — A handful of individuals put on impressive performances throughout the weekend. Here are the most notable athletes from the area.
The Southwest Missouri region performed well at this week’s state track and field championships in Jefferson City, which included the Nixa boys finishing second in Class 5.
Cantwell finished the three-peat in both Class 5 discus and shot put events.
In the shot put, he finished one centimeter shy of the NFHS record with a throw of 23.45 meters (76 feet, 11 ¼ inches). It broke his own state record.
In the discus, he threw 64.14 meters (210 feet, 5 inches).
Hayden Mays, Nixa
Mays finished right behind Cantwell in both the shot put and discus events.
His discus throw went 59.35 meters (194 feet, 8 inches). His shot put throw was a personal record, going 18.34 meters (60 feet, 2 inches).
Maddux NeSmith, Marshfield
NeSmith finished second in the boys’ Class 4 pole vault by clearing 4.47 meters (14 feet, 8 inches). He finished 2.5 inches behind the champion.
Madiyln Olds, Carl Junction
Olds finished second in the girls’ Class 4 javelin throw with a toss of 43.56 meters (142 feet, 11 inches).
Chase Stilley, Webb City
Stilley won the Class 5 girls’ high jump by clearing 1.72 meters (5 feet, 7 ¾ inches).
West Plains boys’ relay team
The Zizzers finished third in the Class 4 200-meter relay at 1:27.53. The team included William Stauffer, Cameron Miller, Lincoln Miller and Zackery Tinsley.
The same group finished the 100-meter relay in third place with a time of 41.89 seconds.
Ava Doll, Joplin
Doll finished third in the 3200-meter run in Class 5, finishing the two-mile in 10:59.66.
Brayden Hicks, Marshfield
Hicks won his second consecutive Class 4 triple jump championship, this year finishing at 14.18 meters.
William Sanley, Nixa
Sanley finished third in the Class 5 pole vault, clearing 4.64 meters.
Avarus Kuhn-Wofford, Joplin
Kuhn-Wofford finished second in the Class 5 300-meter hurdles at 38.45 seconds.
Nevada boys’ relay team
Nevada’s Class 4 400-meter relay team finished first at 3 minutes, 20.24 seconds. The team included John Collins, Aiden Watts, Shaityn Williams and Jackson Cheaney.
Gracelyn Bull, Marshfield
Bull finished third in the girls’ Class 4 shot put with a toss of 12.47 meters (40 feet, 11 inches).
Brooke Hedger, Webb City
Hedger finished third in the Class 5 800-meter run at 2:14.13.
Carl Junction girls’ relay team
Carl Junction took second in the 100-meter relay in Class 4 at 48.3 seconds. The group included Olivia Battagler, Jazmyne Blaney, Kadence Hunt and Sydney Ward.
Morgan Nicholls, Kickapoo
Nicholls finished fourth in the Class 5 shot put with a 17.45-meter throw (57 feet, 3 inches).
Trent Putman, Branson
Putman finished second in the Class 5 Paralympic event for the 100-meter. He finished in 23.04 seconds. He also took third place in the mixed 100-meter event.
McDonald County boys’ relay team
The Mustangs finished third in the Class 4 400-meter relay at 3 minutes, 21.14 seconds. The team included Dominic Navin, Miguel Mora, Ryder Martin and Aidrian Short.