Mason Sanders’ track career is taking off – literally.
The Warrenton freshman jumper had quite the week last week and it culminated with him winning the high jump competition at the North …
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Mason Sanders’ track career is taking off – literally.
The Warrenton freshman jumper had quite the week last week and it culminated with him winning the high jump competition at the North Point meet on March 27.
Sanders’ height of 6-feet, 5.75-inches was not only the best on the day, but it also matched a mark that few freshmen have achieved.
According to MoMileSplit.com, Sanders’ feat makes him only the 10th freshman in state history to hit the mark.
“I was extremely excited after I jumped 6-5 and a half, and even more excited after I found out,” said Sanders about the achievement. “I knew I was going to be able to hit it if I put together everything I have been practicing. After I hit it, I was extremely excited, and it was great to have my whole team there watching to celebrate with me.”
Coming into the season, Sanders’ PR was 5.825, but he increased that total to 6-4.75 with a jump earlier in the week.
His mark bested the 6-3.5 turned in by Fort Zumwalt East junior Bryson Spears.
Sanders said that Spears’ work pushed him to excel.
“I was extremely nervous coming into the meet because of the other opponent jumping higher than my PR,” Sanders said.
Warrenton Coach Mark Thomas said that Sanders’ effort, while not surprising in itself, did turn some heads amongst his coaches when they learned the gravity of his feat.
“It was real impressive,” Thomas said. “We didn’t even know about it until one of the North Point coaches, who also works for MoMileSplit was looking through numbers. He, as a freshman, is seeded No. 1 in Class 4. It’s exceptional and surprising, to say the least.”
As far as what sort of path the finish puts him on, Sanders said what he’d like to achieve this season remains unchanged.
“I still have two goals this season,” Sanders said. “(They are) to break the school record and to go to state.”
Sanders wasn’t the only Warrenton track athlete to find success at North Point.
On the boys’ side, freshman Antevion Pierce (23.56 seconds) finished second in the 200 meters; freshman Caden Baum (59.71) was fourth in the 400; freshman Landon Neace (2:16.57) won the 800 while junior Matthew Craven (2:25.34) was fourth in the race; the 4x200 (1:36.77) finished second; the 4x100 (3:41.43) won the event; junior Jordan Lopez was fourth in the high jump (5-7) and third in the triple jump (41-5); freshman Shackleton Grube was second in the pole vault (8-5); junior Marcus Greene won the shot (52-3) and was third in the discus (132-6) and junior Jake Kinney was fourth in the javelin (126-0).
“Our young guys and returners are putting out great performances,” Thomas said. “Our numbers are low across all events. We thought early on we would not compete for team scores, and it will stay that way at bigger meets. We are pointing out real well at small meets. Our throws are exceptional. Our relay times are low. Kids are working hard at practice every day and the kids are highly competitive.”
On the girls’ side, freshman Jadyn Cox was third in the triple jump (29-10.2); sophomore Julianna Kinney was fourth in the javelin (89-9) and senior Makayla Witthaus was third in the shot (34-0) and fourth in the discus (91-0).
