Abby Casper just missed qualifying for the state track championships as a freshman.
Casper finished fifth in the 100 meters at Saturday’s Class 2 Sectional 3 at Lamar High School. The top four advanced to Jefferson City.
Casper ran the sprint in 13.19 seconds –– just 0.09 seconds behind fourth-place Ashlynn Rogers of Mountain Grove.
Spokane’s Kailey Chapman won the 100 meters in 12.75 seconds. Her teammate, Rebecca Sledge, was second in 12.99. Bailie Stine of Marionville was third in 13.37, followed by Rogers and Casper.
Casper, who ran the 100 in 12.43 seconds at the South Central Association meet to break the conference record, qualified for sectionals by finishing second at districts.
HHS sophomore Jonas Rowland also qualified for sectionals by finishing fourth in the 1600 at districts. She chose not to compete in the next round.
Plato junior Lexi McNiel qualified for state in three events. She won the 3200, finished second in the 1600 and was part of the 4×800 relay that finished third. Her teammates were Becca Baker, Shalyn Barton and MacKenzie Morrison.
Licking junior Blake Heithold and freshman Ashley Eingram both qualified for state in the high jump. Heithold was second on the boys’ side and Eingram finished third in the girls’ competition.
Lamar won the boys’ Class 2 team competition with 173 points –– well ahead of second-place Liberty with 96 points. Ash Grove finished atop the girls’ standings. Mountain Grove was fifth and Plato placed ninth.