A year after finishing third place for the second year in a row, the West Platte boys track and field team is under new leadership.
Eric Stout is the new man in charge of the boys track and field program, taking over for Jim Newsted following his retirement. This will be Stout’s fourth year as a head track coach, and he wants to build from the success the Blue Jays had the previous couple of years.
“I expect our team to make a push to finish with plaques and championships at conference, districts, sectionals, and state,” Stout said. “Coming off a big year last year and losing two key pieces will mean people will need to step up.”
The Blue Jays won the state championship in the 4x200-meter relay, which included returning seniors Jonah McGivern and Augie Hill as well as sophomore Brady McMillan. Finishing the relay in 1 minute, 29.74 seconds was enough to give the Blue Jays their first relay state title in a decade.
Hill also finished third at state to medal in the 100m dash and helped the Blue Jays to medal in the 4x400m relay alongside McGivern, McMillan and junior Alex Kinslow. Kinslow also earned a state medal in the 300m hurdles after finishing third.
Stout is looking for some underclassmen to step up after losing some leaders last year. He pointed to sophomores Mark Sanders and Khysen Heskin as athletes who can fill those vacant holes.
Above all, he is emphasizing the importance of working methodically. He wants to make sure everyone progresses throughout the season and stays healthy for a chance to compete when it matters most.
“The biggest challenge to overcome throughout the season will be staying healthy and reaching our peak during championship season,” Stout said. “Track is always tricky with that, but our coaches are doing a tremendous job of injury prevention, and the athletes are meeting the expectation of taking care of their body.”