By Anvil Welch
awelch@joplinglobe.com
Joplin High School seniors Emilee Dailey and Ashlie Shimmin signed national track letters of intent on Monday.
Each athlete indicated, however, there was work to finish with their final seasons coming up for the Eagles.
Shimmin, a standout in the weights, signed with Pittsburg State University of the MIAA. Dailey, who specializes in the high jump. signed with the University of Missouri of the Big 12 Conference.
Said Dailey: “This spring I hope to try the triple jump and maybe some relays. My goal in the high jump is to clear 5-4 (to erase the school record of 5-3).”
Shimmin holds Joplin records of 42 feet, 3 inches, in the shot put and 126-8 in the discus.
Shimmin said her goals this season are to reach 45 feet in the shot and 140 in the discus. She finished second in the shot and eighth in the discus as a junior, fifth in the shot as a sophomore and eighth in the shot as a freshman.
“I’ll probably throw the hammer and maybe even the javelin (at PSU),” Shimmin said. “I’ve never thrown the javelin. So, that should be quite an experience. I’m excited about trying something new.”
It could be a considerable challenge to prevail in the shot at state, Shimmin said.
“The winner returns and she was within a few inches of the state record,” she said.
Kasey Pliler is the primary coach for Dailey in the high jump. Kevin Sadler and Dick Kruse work with Shimmin in the weights. Paul Chambers is the Eagles’ head coach.
Dailey plans to study neuroradiology at MU. Shimmin wants to become a nurse.
