The first of a busy three-weekend stretch starts Saturday for track and field athletes in Class 1 and 2 schools.

The Diamond Wildcats, on the heels of their conference meet Monday in Pierce City, return to that town Saturday for the Class 2 District 5 meet.

The top four finishers in each of the events will advance to the sectional meet the following Saturday in Lamar. The next weekend, the Class 1 and 2 Championships will be held in Jefferson City.

“I think (Kenny) Newman has a good shot in the discus and if he throws the shot put as well as the discus he could advance in that too,” said Diamond coach Brent Jordan.
“Lacey (Carneal) is vaulting well and if that continues she should go for sure. Kim (Spencer) is also running her best times all year in the mile and two mile, so she has a chance to go.”

The district will feature 16 teams, including Diamond. The other teams are: Ash Grove, College Heights Christian, Crane, Hollister, Lamar, Marion C. Early (Morrisville), Marionville, Joplin McAuley, Pierce City, Pleasant Hope, Purdy, Sarcoxie, Southwest (Washburn), Spokane and Stockton.

“I think if you look at favorites, I’d think it would be College Heights in both,” said Jordan.

“They score so many points in the distance races. I think they qualified three or four in the mile and two mile to run.”

Each school is limited to two entries per event unless the qualifying times, set by MSHSAA, are met by runners.