State track recap: Shumaker earns state medal

Chris Auckley/Special to the Daily-Mail Nevada's Ashley Shumaker eyes the bar during an attempt in the Class 3 high jump at the Missouri High School Class 3-4 State Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City, Saturday.

By Jason Peake

Daily Mail Sports Editor

When Ashley Shumaker and Morgan Hold left Jefferson City this past weekend, it's safe to say both were thinking the exact same thing -- "I'll be back."

Nevada junior Ashley Schumaker smiles on the awards podium after receiving her fifth place medal in the Class 3 high jump at the Missouri High School Class 3-4 State Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City, Saturday. Chris Auckley photo To see more of Auckley's photos, go to: http://chrisa.photoshelter.com/

Shumaker and Hold both represented Nevada High School at the Missouri High School Class 3 State Track and Field Championships at Lincoln University over the weekend. And both gained valuable experience in the process.

A junior, Shumaker earned a fifth place medal on Saturday in the Class 3 girls high jump. She cleared 5-feet-5 and earned a spot on the medal stand.

"Ashley did a good job," Nevada Coach Robert Watts said Monday night. "Fifth place is really great for her."

Nevada junior Ashley Schumaker (#995) stands along with the rest of the all-state honorees on the awards podium during the high jump awards presentation at the Missouri High School Class 3-4 State Track and Field Championships in Jefferson City, Saturday. Chris Auckley photo

After clearing all of the early heights, Shumaker then faced a little adversity. Attempting 5-4, Shumaker missed on her first two attempts, but cleared the bar on her final attempt to stay alive. Clearing that height secured something, too.

"Clearing 5-4 was the difference between a medal and no medal," Watts said. "So after that I think she relaxed a bit because she knew she had a medal."

Next, Shumaker cleared 5-5 on her second attempt. She just missed clearing 5-6, Watts said.

Eldon freshman Sara Rhine cleared 5-7 and captured the gold. Mariah Hernandez of Grain Valley was second and Selina Kendall of Platte County took third. Both cleared 5-6. Betsy Borgsmiller of Sikeston finished fourth by clearing 5-5 on her first attempt. It was Shumaker's second-straight trip to state. She finished 12th last year as a sophomore.

Before heading to state, Shumaker said her goal was the school record height of 5-9. She'll have her shot at that record and another state medal next year.

And next year was already on Shumaker's mind when she was leaving the event, Watts noted.

"She was talking about coming back next year in two events," Watts said.

Shumaker just missed qualifying in the long jump this season. Watts added Shumaker will have the goals set high next year. And of course, this year's experience will pay off.

"Earning a medal this year will give her more confidence next year and she'll be able to handle the pressure," Watts said.

Shumaker wasn't the only Tiger competing at state. Also a junior, Hold tied for 10th place in the boys pole vault on Friday by clearing 13 feet.

Christian Locke of Hannibal won the gold by clearing 14-6. Andrew Bartnett of John Burroughs was second (14-3), while Kyle Potter of St. Charles West was third (14-0).

It was Hold's first trip to state. That may have been a factor in his performance, Watts noted.

"It's a whole different experience when you get there for the first time," Watts said. "Usually the pole vault is off by itself somewhere. At state, everybody is right on top you. It was an experience for him. I think it was different than what he's used to."

Watts said Hold was already thinking of next year, as well.

"This gives him good experience for next year," he said of the state trip.

Overall, Watts said the weekend at the state track championships was a positive experience.

"It was a fun time," he said. "They're both great kids. These are the cream of the crop. It's a privilege to work with them."

Note: University City won the Class 3 girls title, with Affton second and Sullivan third. On the boys side, Grandview was first, Platte County was second and Hannibal was third.

Class 3 Girls High Jump

1.Rhine, ELD 5-7; 2. Hernandez, GV, 5-6; 3. Kendall, PLC, 5-6; 4. Borgsmiller, SIKE, 5-5; 5. Shumaker, NEV, 5-5; 6. Hogan, HILL, 5-5; 7. Migletz, SMITH, 5-5; 8. Holman, MEX, 5-4. 9. Borman, FES, 5-4; 10. Ring, EXC, 5-2; 11. Small, VIS, 5-2; tie. Akromis, REED, 5-2; 13. Forest, CPH, 5-2; 14. Wichman, KIR, 5-2; 15. Windsor, MICDS, 5-0; tie. Haslag, HEL, 5-0.

Class 3 boys pole vault

1.Locke, HAN, 14-6; 2. Bartnett, JBUR, 14-3; 3. Potter, STCHW, 14-0; 4. Hull, OHA, 14-0; 5. Stiens, MARY, 13-9; 6. Juergens, STCL, 13-9; 7. Jones-Richerson, DUC, 13-9; 8. Williams, WIND, 13-6. 9. Reed, FES, 13-6; 10. Hagen, FES, 13-0; tie. Allen, BOL, 13-0; tie. Hold, NEV, 13-0; tie. Mickleberry, HVIL, 13-0; 14. Repsher, CJ, 12-6.