Josh Finley Country Financial / WMIX Sports Rams of the Week
Mt. Vernon Rams Track & Field
The Mt. Vernon Rams Track & Field team opened the season in impressive fashion, capturing the team championship at the Roger Minton Early Bird Indoor Invitational on Saturday, February 28 at Marion.
The Rams piled up 87.5 points to edge host Marion (80.5) and outdistance a competitive field that included Carbondale and Mascoutah, who tied for third with 76 points.
Mt. Vernon’s depth across the running events, relays, and field events powered the victory, highlighted by a pair of event wins and several top-three finishes.
Junior Keaton Koch led the way with a standout day on the track. Koch won the 200 meters in a personal-best 23.42 and added a runner-up finish in the 60-meter hurdles with another personal best of 8.34.
The Rams also dominated the distance relay events. The quartet of Rowan Wilford, Joel Hayes, Eli Johnston, and Trace Elliott captured the 4×800 relay title in 8:25.22, giving Mt. Vernon a key boost in the team standings.
In distance events, senior Carson Workman placed 2nd in the 3200 meters (10:10.91) while teammate Joel Hayes earned a 3rd place finish in the 1600 meters with a personal-best 4:34.47.
The Rams also produced strong performances in the field events. Sophomore Karter Oliver finished 2nd in the high jump with a personal-best 1.88 meters and added a 4th place finish in the long jump (6.32m). Junior Spencer Sledge also earned a runner-up finish in the pole vault with a personal-best 4.42 meters.
Additional strong efforts included a 4th place finish in the 400 meters by Jack Laughlin, a 4th place finish in the 600 meters by freshman Samuel Ohley, and a 4th place finish in the 800 meters by Rowan Wilford.
The Rams’ ability to score across nearly every event category proved to be the difference in securing the early-season invitational championship.
Team Results
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Mt. Vernon — 87.5
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Marion — 80.5
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Carbondale — 76
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Mascoutah — 76
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Herrin — 39.5
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Murphysboro — 39
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Salem — 33
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Fairfield — 30
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Christ Our Rock Lutheran — 26
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Carterville — 21
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Harrisburg — 18
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Nashville — 18
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Pinckneyville — 18
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Paducah Tilghman — 16.5
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Benton — 16
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Madison — 16
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Chester — 5
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Mattoon — 4
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Newton — 3
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DuQuoin — 1
Rams Individual Results
Sprints
60 Meter – Finals
6. Alex Knappier (Sr) — 7.28
12. Tyler Carter (Jr) — 7.44
60 Meter – Prelims
2. Alex Knappier (Sr) — 7.27
11. Tyler Carter (Jr) — 7.43
19. Karmaine Hopkins (Jr) — 7.59
200 Meters
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Keaton Koch (Jr) — 23.42
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Karmaine Hopkins (Jr) — 25.64
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Bryton Noward (So) — 25.79
400 Meters
4. Jack Laughlin (Sr) — 54.96
25. DaeJhaun Regans (Sr) — 1:00.34
Middle Distance
600 Meters
4. Samuel Ohley (Fr) — 1:33.94
10. Evan Wagner (Sr) — 1:50.31
800 Meters
4. Rowan Wilford (Sr) — 2:05.11
12. Eli Johnston (Sr) — 2:12.43
21. Luke Stanford (Fr) — 2:18.73
Distance
1600 Meters
3. Joel Hayes (Sr) — 4:34.47
10. William Green (Fr) — 4:50.91
17. Ayden Warren (So) — 5:12.48
3200 Meters
2. Carson Workman (Sr) — 10:10.91
17. Henry McGhee (So) — 12:19.63
Hurdles
60 Meter Hurdles
2. Keaton Koch (Jr) — 8.34
Relays
4×200 Relay
7. Terryance Cantley (So)
Karter Oliver (So)
Bryton Noward (So)
Davious Barnes (So) — 1:40.95
4×400 Relay
4. Spencer Sledge (Jr)
Terryance Cantley (So)
Trace Elliott (Sr)
Jack Laughlin (Sr) — 3:42.74
4×800 Relay
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Rowan Wilford (Sr)
Joel Hayes (Sr)
Eli Johnston (Sr)
Trace Elliott (Sr) — 8:25.22
Field Events
Shot Put
13. Logan Webb (Sr) — 12.95m
17. Carsun Bradford (So) — 12.49m
27. Zachary Webb (So) — 10.91m
High Jump
2. Karter Oliver (So) — 1.88m
Pole Vault
2. Spencer Sledge (Jr) — 4.42m
Long Jump
4. Karter Oliver (So) — 6.32m
Triple Jump
12. JaKenzie Barnett (Sr) — 10.84m
Editor’s note: AI was used in organizing these results. Results are courtesy of Athletic.net. You can follow Mt. Vernon Rams Track & Field and Cross Country on Facebook. The team has more pictures and images of the event here.
