Blair Oaks boys focused on their five events

In Class 3 track championships

Cole Rackers of Blair Oaks approaches to hand off the baton during the 4x800-meter relay in action this season in Wardsville. Rackers and the Falcons qualified for state in the event.
Cole Rackers of Blair Oaks approaches to hand off the baton during the 4x800-meter relay in action this season in Wardsville. Rackers and the Falcons qualified for state in the event.

WARDSVILLE, Mo. - It's not a large group that Blair Oaks will be taking to the MSHSAA Class 3 Track and Field Championships, but the Falcons are making the best of the situation.

Blair Oaks will take part in four individual boys events and one boys relay race when the two-day event kicks off today at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.

But it's had a silver lining in practice, as the amount of prep work devoted to each event has been plentiful.

"It has been nice to be able to really focus on each individual event and each aspect of that event," Blair Oaks coach Nathan Holtmeyer said.

The Falcons had an idea it might not be a huge contingent attending state after districts.

"We kind of expected this two weeks ago when one of the members of our sprint relays, Dominic Jamerson, ended up straining a hamstring," Holtmeyer said. "So that knocked out three events right there, really put us behind schedule. We were hoping to get eight to 10 (athletes) through. When that happened, it knocked us back."

It was a similar story on the girls side, where in a rare happening, Blair Oaks won't have any representatives at the state meet.

"The girls just have been hampered with injuries," Holtmeyer said. "I would say 90 percent of our team was out at one point throughout the season. It just wasn't their year."

Today will feature perhaps Blair Oaks' best chance to make a splash at the meet, as senior John Karsten returns to compete in the discus after finishing as the runner-up last year.

"He's going in with the seventh-furthest throw, but they're just inches apart, so anything can happen," Holtmeyer said. "With him being there last year, I think he's mentally prepared. I'm looking for him to get us off to a good start.

"The biggest thing he probably needs to do is just relax, not try to throw that big one. Just smooth and steady."

Karsten will be competing not long after the Falcons compete in another finals-only event, the 4x800-meter relay. The Falcons will rely on a pair of seniors, leadoff runner Brad Thomas and anchor Cole Rackers to provide leadership in that event.

"Cole Rackers and Brad Thomas have been great leaders for us this year, and I think they really want it," Holtmeyer said. "We're really looking foward to them running great times. ... I'm excited to see what we can do."

The only other Falcon competing in a final today will be Jason Otto in the 3,200-meter run, while Chase Duren will compete in the prelims of the 200-meter dash. On Saturday, Nick Yaeger will compete in the final of the 1,600-meter run.

"Chase is another one that had an injury," Holtmeyer said. "We took him out of the hurdles, where he got third at state last year in the 300. We had to take him out and put him in the opens, where he's really been dropping some times. He dropped half a second in one week, so we're really hoping he's able to ... get a top-five performance.

"Jason Otto and Nick Yaeger, in the mile and two-mile, they're going to have a big day. It's very tough for them. We're looking at this as experience for them."

Competition begins at 11 a.m. both days with the field events.