From staff reports

sports@joplinglobe.com

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Miller and Jasper rank among the team leaders in Class 1 girls competition after the first day of the Missouri high school track and field championships at Lincoln University’s Dwight T. Reed Stadium.

Miller, on the strength of a victory by Taylor Rivera in the 3,200-meter run, is third in the points race with 13. The Cardinals also picked up points from a sixth-place finish by Samantha Hendrickson in the shot put.

Jasper sophomore Candice Talbot finished second in the shot put with a throw of 36 feet, 2 inches. Teammate Latricia Atkins was seventh in the 3,200.

Lamar is tied for ninth place in Class 2 boys competition with eight points and Greenfield has an identical position in Class 1.

Class 1 girls

Rivera dominated the 3,200, running the distance in 12 minutes, 7.59 seconds. She finished nearly 13 seconds in front of runner-up Amy Gangloff of Wellsville.

Lockwood’s Danielle Parker was sixth in the triple jump and Wheaton’s Jessica Laughary tied for sixth in the high jump. Thomas Jefferson junior Carly Luebber was eighth in the shot put.

Liberal senior Kelly McKay, who has signed to attend Missouri Southern, qualified for the finals in the 100, 200 and 400 dashes. Liberal also qualified its 800 and 1,600 relay teams.

Thomas Jefferson advanced both Kasey Jackson and Summer Davidson in the 100 hurdles and Davidson in the 300 hurdles. The 1,600 relay team of Jackson, Allison Fraum, Ali Weil and Davidson also qualified for the final.

The Cavaliers also have Fraum entered in the open 800 and 1,600 and Luebber in the discus today.

Class 2 girls

College Heights Christian is the area leader, holding 12th place with seven points.

The Cougars picked up four points from a fifth-place finish by the 3,200 relay team and three points from a sixth-place finish by sophomore Emily Beaver in the 3,200. CHC’s Brittany Lewis qualified for the finals of the 400 dash.