Speed was the driving force behind the Warrenton boys track team’s success last season, and the sprinters will likely provide many of the points again in 2014.Coach Steve McDowell has to replace just one member, albeit the anchor, of last year’s 440- and 800-meter relay teams that advanced to the MSHSAA Championships last May.“We will be strongest in our sprint events,” said McDowell. “It’s going to be hard to replace Devin from last year. He brought us back in so many races with an exploding finish.”The sprint relay and open sprint events appear strong, with sophomore Justin McBroom, junior Jordon Washington and senior Drake Wagner returning after extensive varsity success last season.“They should be pretty competitive,” said McDowell. “They worked hard in the offseason and during first couple weeks of practice.”McDowell anticipates Carlos Lopez, who transferred from Wright City, will fill the fourth relay spot.“They’ve worked very well on their handoffs,” said McDowell. “It’s just a matter of us getting into a meet and performing well live.”Wagner is expected make an impact in the open 200-meter race, Lopez and Washington compete in the 100-meter dash.As for the distance events, senior Jacob Ruby returns in the mile and two-mile races. while senior Triston Cullom will run the mile and 800-meter. Brian Sanders is also expected to perform well in the 800-meter race.“Those guys will help out the team and compete well,” said McDowell. “They have experience having been in the program the past three or four years.”In the hurdles, Jacob Crump is expecting to make an impact.“He really started bringing his time down as a freshman,” added McDowell.The Warriors also return considerable experience in the jumping events, led by senior Brian Lanigan in the triple and long jump.“He had a great season last year, and we look for him to have another great one this year,” said McDowell. “We’re very excited about his potential as a senior.”McBroom should also provide points in each of the jumping events.The pole vaulting crew includes both a returner in Caleb Hodgson and a newcomer with Jared Kilpack having transferred from Camdenton.“Those two ought to get us a lot of points,” said McDowell.The throwing arsenal will consist of Austin Stroer, Jeremy Schneider and Matt Coper.“We’re going to be young in that throwing position with the exception of Austin,” said McDowell.On the girls side, Coach Mike Spoede doesn’t quite have the luxury of depth that McDowell does with his 30 boys competing.The Warriors have just one senior, Daphne Meine, who returns for a fourth year as a high jumper.“She’s been a strong part of our program,” said Spoede. “Coming out for a fourth straight year is kind of amazing, and I’m proud of her commitment.”Junior Madeline Carlson leads the distance crew, competing in the mile, two mile and on the 4x800-meter relay team.“She really exemplifies what it takes to get to that next level,” said Spoede. “She’s definitely our mainstay for distance and is more adapted to the two mile.”After that the team is pretty open.“We’re a young team,” said Spoede. “We have more sprinters than in the past, so we hope to see some success in our sprint relays.”Freshman Andrea Poole could find herself in the mix after a successful cross country season.“We’ve got two solid links in the 4x800, and she’ll be one of them,” said Spoede. “She could do the mile or two, but we’re looking at her more as a miler.”He says he’s been particularly pleased with the turnout from the freshmen class.“We’re kind of an unknown team with better balance than we’ve possibly had in a few years,” said Spoede.

Warrenton junior Jordon Washington is one of three returning members of last year's sprint relay teams that qualified for state.

Derrick Forsythe Photo.