Several area athletes set for Class 1 and 2 state track

Garner Rudroff of South Callaway returns to defend his Class 2 boys long jump title at the state track and field championships this weekend in Jefferson City.
Garner Rudroff of South Callaway returns to defend his Class 2 boys long jump title at the state track and field championships this weekend in Jefferson City.

A whopping 39 area competitors have qualified in 62 events for the state track and field championships that will be held today and Saturday at Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 1-2 Championships get underway at 11 a.m. today with selected field events, with the running events to start at noon.

One area competitor, St. Elizabeth's Allie Heckemeyer, has qualified for state in four events - the Class 1 girls long jump, triple jump, 400-meter dash and 800 meter run.

Heckemeyer is one of three area defending champions competing this weekend, as she won the triple jump last year. Also back to defend titles are Chamois' Alison Mehmert in the Class 1 girls high jump and South Callaway's Garner Rudroff in the Class 2 boys long jump.

Six other area athletes will take part in three events each:

• South Callaway's Hannah Oberdiek in the Class 2 girls 100- and 200-meter dashes and the long jump.

• South Callaway's Taylor Howard in the 100- and 400-meter dashes and the pole vault.

• Russellville's Justice Miller in the Class 2 girls 100-, 200- and 400-meter dashes.

• Russellville's Grace Young in the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.

• Chamois' Clay Nolte in the Class 1 boys 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.

• Chamois' Autumn Baker in the Class 1 girls 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs.

Saturday's action gets started at 11 a.m. with field events, with the track finals beginning at noon. The last event of the championships is set to start at 4 p.m. Saturday.