Josh Finley Country Financial / WMIX Sports Ram of the Week
Mt. Vernon Rams Track & Field
The Mt. Vernon Rams Track & Field team turned in a dominant performance at the Marion Indoor Invitational on Friday, March 13, 2026, capturing the team championship with 109.5 points and earning Ram of the Week honors.
The Rams edged out a strong field that included Carbondale (102) and host Marion (100), showcasing depth across sprints, distance, relays, and field events.
Mt. Vernon was led by multiple event champions, including Joel Hayes, who won the 1600 meters with a time of 4:44.23, Keaton Koch, who took first in the 60-meter hurdles (8.31), and Spencer Sledge, who claimed the pole vault title by clearing 4.42 meters.
The Rams also dominated in relay competition, highlighted by a first-place finish in the 4×800 relay team of Trace Elliott, Joel Hayes, Liam Brandon, and Rowan Wilford with a time of 8:17.71.
Additional top performances included a second-place finish in the 4×200 relay (Koch, Sledge, Laughlin, Staples) and the 4×400 relay (Koch, Sledge, Laughlin, Elliott), along with strong individual efforts across the board.
Alex Knappier led the sprint group with a runner-up finish in the 60 meters (7.18), while Tyler Carter added a third-place finish in the 200 meters (24.48). Gavin Hooper placed third in the long jump (6.15m), and Karter Oliver cleared 1.83 meters to finish fourth in the high jump.
In distance events, Jayden Jones placed fourth in the 800 meters (2:03.06), while William Green added a fifth-place finish in the 3200 meters with a time of 9:55.39.
The Rams’ combination of event winners, relay success, and depth scoring across nearly every discipline powered them to the team title and this week’s Ram of the Week recognition.
Individual Results:
60 Meter – Varsity
Finals: 2nd – Alex Knappier (Sr) – 7.18 (PB); 5th – Tyler Carter (Jr) – 7.27 (PB); 6th – JaShawn Staples (Jr) – 7.30
Prelims: 3rd – Alex Knappier (Sr) – 7.21; 4th – JaShawn Staples (Jr) – 7.25 (PB); 6th – Tyler Carter (Jr) – 7.28
200 Meters – Varsity (Finals)
3rd – Tyler Carter (Jr) – 24.48 (PB); 6th – Karmaine Hopkins (Jr) – 24.98; 13th – Preston Ready (Jr) – 25.69 (PB)
400 Meters – Varsity (Finals)
11th – Samuel Ohley (Fr) – 58.93 (PB)
800 Meters – Varsity (Finals)
4th – Jayden Jones (Jr) – 2:03.06 (PB); 8th – Rowan Wilford (Sr) – 2:15.27; 13th – Rylan Cravens (Fr) – 2:19.45
1600 Meters – Varsity (Finals)
1st – Joel Hayes (Sr) – 4:44.23; 9th – Ayden Warren (So) – 5:01.93 (PB); 11th – Luke Stanford (Fr) – 5:12.39 (PB)
3200 Meters – Varsity (Finals)
5th – William Green (Fr) – 9:55.39 (PB); 6th – Carson Workman (Sr) – 10:13.45
60m Hurdles (39”) – Varsity
Finals: 1st – Keaton Koch (Jr) – 8.31 (PB)
Prelims: 1st – Keaton Koch (Jr) – 8.33; 13th – Michael Lash (Fr) – 9.82 (PB); 15th – Brian Welch (So) – 9.95 (PB)
4×200 Relay – Varsity (Finals)
2nd – Keaton Koch, Spencer Sledge, Jack Laughlin, JaShawn Staples – 1:33.27
4×400 Relay – Varsity (Finals)
2nd – Keaton Koch, Spencer Sledge, Jack Laughlin, Trace Elliott – 3:33.23
4×800 Relay – Varsity (Finals)
1st – Trace Elliott, Joel Hayes, Liam Brandon, Rowan Wilford – 8:17.71
Shot Put (12 lb) – Varsity
12th – Carsun Bradford (So) – 12.32m; 16th – Zachary Webb (So) – 11.63m; 23rd – Logan Webb (Sr) – 10.26m
High Jump – Varsity
4th – Karter Oliver (So) – 1.83m
Pole Vault – Varsity
1st – Spencer Sledge (Jr) – 4.42m; NH – Zavier Wachtel (Fr)
Long Jump – Varsity
3rd – Gavin Hooper (Fr) – 6.15m (PB)
Triple Jump – Varsity
5th – JaShawn Staples (Jr) – 12.22m; 7th – JaKenzie Barnett (Sr) – 10.70m
Team Results:
1. Mt. Vernon 109.5
2. Carbondale 102
3. Marion 100
4. Murphysboro 57
5. Pinckneyville 30.5
6. Anna-Jonesboro 26.5
7. Dupo 24
8. Johnston City 21
9. Carmi-White County 20.5
10. Nashville 20
11. Herrin 16
12. Fairfield 15
13. Harrisburg 14.5
14. Benton 6
15. Salem 5.5
16. Pope County 2
17. Christ Our Rock Lutheran 2
