The West Plains Zizzers track and field team will compete for top honors at the Class 4 and 5 MSHSAA State Track and Field Meet on Friday and Saturday. The championships will be held at Jefferson City High School, located at 609 Union St. in Jefferson City.
Before the athletes hit the road, the community is invited to a state send-off celebration at 10:40 a.m. Thursday. The parade will begin at Zizzer Stadium and travel north on North Howell Avenue past the high school, turn right onto East Olden Street past the middle school and finish with a left turn onto Allen Street to West Plains Elementary.
The Zizzers are sending a robust roster of competitors to the state meet. The boys qualifiers include Cameron Miller (100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, 4x100 relay), Jared Kraft (high jump), Hunter Stanley (3,200-meter run, 4x800 relay) and Jaxon Hunter (shot put, discus). The boys 4x100 relay team features Miller, Kael Harrison, Mason Matejek, Gavin Kenslow and alternate Malakai Maupin. The 4x800 relay team includes Stanley, Trevin Smith, Joseph Roberson, Blake Romans and alternate Chaska Shearin.
On the girls side, Mylea Adams qualified in four individual events: the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash, long jump and triple jump. Kaebrynn Gunter will compete in the 1,600-meter run and join Lena Finke, Libby Hart and Karlee Romans on the state-bound 4x800 relay team.
Competition spans two full days in Jefferson City. On both Friday and Saturday, field events are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m., with running events following at 11 a.m. Saturday's action will also feature opening ceremonies at 10:20 a.m. before the final running events commence.
Fans traveling to the meet should note that parking passes are available for purchase on-site only this year, with no online sales. General parking lots are $5 or $10 per entry, and spots will be resold as vehicles leave. A $15 reserved lot is available for all-day parking with in-and-out privileges. Attendees are warned to avoid residential permit areas and no-parking zones, as vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.
Event tickets can be purchased online at mshsaa.org/Tickets.aspx.
