Drop in class raises Devils' hopes

~ After two years at the more competitive Class 2, Chaffee returned to the ranks of Class 1.

CHAFFEE -- Senior thrower Amber Kirk qualified for the state meet as a freshman three years ago when the Chaffee track and field program was in Class 1.

But when the program moved up to Class 2 during Kirk's sophomore and junior seasons, she did not qualify either year.

"I was very excited," Kirk said about hearing the program had moved back down to Class 1 this spring. "I was pumped up for track. I couldn't wait for it to get here. I was counting down the days."

Moving down one class makes a world of difference in Missouri high school track and field. Last year when Chaffee was in Class 2, four of its boys and none of its girls qualified for state. The program is sending nine boys and five girls to this year's state meet, which takes place for both Class 1 and Class 2 today and Saturday in Jefferson City.

"Everybody was pretty excited about [dropping to Class 1]," said senior Trenton Horman, who will be competing in four events instead of just the one event he did in Class 2.

Chaffee coach Terry Glenzy said the Chaffee program has bounced back and forth between Class 1 and Class 2 over the years, and that being in Class 1 helps his team.

"It's definitely helped us," Glenzy said. "The boys up there in sectionals, we ran 14 out of the 18 events. ... I think the whole team has high expectations [at state]. I think they have a couple goals in mind on what they want to do. They want to place in the top three as a team."

While Chaffee moved to Class 1, the Saxony Lutheran track and field program moved from Class 1 to 2. The Crusaders have qualified in fewer events than during past springs. For instance, the Saxony boys competed in five different individual events and two relays last year. They will be competing in no individual events and two relays this year.

Saxony coach Larry Cleair said his team moved to Class 2 because of the increase in enrollment at the school. He expects the program to remain in Class 2.

"If we weren't going to be there this time, we were going to be there next time because we're growing," Cleair said. "And that's where we need to be competing."

Comparing times from Class 1 and 2 reveals a significant increase in the level of competition in Class 2. The first-place finisher in the 1,600 of last year's Class 2 boys meet ran the race in 4 minutes, 25.26 seconds while Saxony Lutheran's Ross Gage won the Class 1 boys mile in 4:36.39.

Kirk will compete in both the discus and shot put. The Class 2 girls winner in the discus last year threw 25 feet, 1 inch farther than the girl who won the event in Class 1, while the throw of the Class 2 girls shot put winner traveled 8 feet, 10 inches farther than the throw of the Class 1 winner.

Cleair looks at the move up to Class 2 as a positive. He said his runners do, too, as they have told him the tougher competition makes them run faster.

"I was excited that we had some kids yesterday who said that it was good that we were in Class 2 because we're running better than they would in Class 1," Cleair said. "The purpose of competition is not to win everything, but it's to bring out the best in it. This is forcing us to really step it up.

"In our 4x800 we ran at [this spring[']s sectional meet], we ran 2 seconds faster than last year at the state meet. And we finished second [at sectionals], and at the state meet last year we won it by 120, 130 meters. We ran slower at the state meet last year and ran away with it. Not to put those teams down. They are great athletes, but the level of competition brings out the best in our kids."

Saxony relays

Saxony placed first in the 3,200 relay at the Class 1 state meet the past four years and first in the 1.600 relay the past three years.

Now that Saxony has moved to Class 2, it will be much tougher to win the two events this year. Still, Cleair is confident both relay teams will do well.

"We've got a shot at being there," Cleair said. "In the 4x400, Maplewood was about 2.5 seconds ahead of us, which is a long time. but we've got kids that are saying, 'Hey, if they just do what they did at sectionals, we're going to beat them. We're going to take some time off.' And they've run this week like they intend to do that.

"And again, Principia has a great 4x800 team. They ran an 8:11 at sectionals, and I think we're capable of going 8:08 on Saturday. I don't know if that will win it, but we're going to give all we can."

A hectic schedule

Saxony's Cassie Simpher runs both the 400 and 800. She has the third-best 800 time and fourth-best 400 time in Class 2, Cleair said.

"She's going to be in a tight time schedule because if she gets to the finals, which I assume she will, she runs the 400 at 2:15 [p.m.] and then she has to run the 800 at 2:55," Cleair said. "We're almost praying for a little rain shower in there or strike of lightening to give her a little more rest. But she's a tough kid."

Kirk's throws

Kirk did not place when she competed at the state meet as a freshman, but she thinks she is more prepared this time around.

"I know what to expect, so that's going to be on my side," Kirk said. "I expect to place. I've gotten a lot better since my freshman year."

Kirk placed third in the discus (88-2) and fourth in the shot put (33-3/4) at sectionals last Saturday.

"I think if she throws what she's capable of in the shot and the discus, I think she has a shot to reach the top eight," Glenzy said.

Standout freshman

Chaffee freshman Jordan Yahn enters the Class 1 state meet with the third-best Class 1 time in the 800, Glenzy said.

"My realistic goal is probably to get the best time that I can, and if they beat me, they beat me," Yahn said. "They're probably older and more experienced, but I'm going to stay with it as much as possible."