With two returning all-state medalists, the Montgomery County track team will be setting its sights on having another athlete on the awards podium this spring.

Senior Tyler Erwin and sophomore Samantha Turner are back this season for the Wildcats after turning in strong seasons in 2024. Erwin earned all-state medals in the long jump and triple jump and broke school records in both events, while Turner received all-state notice in the shot put and won Eastern Missouri Conference and district championships in the event.

Last year, the Wildcats had five athletes, including Erwin and Turner, at the Class 3 state meet and all of them earned all-state honors. It was the 12th year in a row that MCHS had at least one athlete on the awards podium.

Also this spring, the Wildcats will look to win another EMO championship in the girls division. A year ago, MCHS won its fifth consecutive EMO title in six years and eighth overall after coming from behind to place first in the conference meet with 122.5 points at Jim Blacklock Field. The Wildcats were in second by four points with two events remaining before coming out on top.

The Wildcats begin their season at 4:15 p.m. March 25 at the Montgomery County Early Invite. Last year, they finished fourth in the boys division and seventh in the girls division and had first-place finishes in six events.
MCHS will also host the Montgomery County Invitational on April 21 and the EMO championship meet on May 2.

Erwin is part of a senior class that includes Trenton Birkner, Jadrian Thurmon, Beckham Cothren and Brendan Craven. After three years with the Wildcats, the University of Central Missouri-bound athlete has six all-state medals. Last year, he finished second in the long jump and third in the triple jump. He came in third in the high jump and long jump and fifth in the triple jump when he was a sophomore and eighth in the high jump in his freshman year.

By getting seventh in the shot put at state in 2024, Turner became the first MCHS freshman since 2021 to earn all-state honors in the girls division. Her best throw was a 35-6, which was accomplished at the state meet. She also competed in the discus last year and her best throw was 90 feet at the Ron Whittaker Invite.

This year, Turner is one of several returning athletes from last year’s EMO championship team. Others include senior Brenna Ludy, juniors Josy Eversmeyer and Katlyn Kolling and sophomores Olivia Spurgeon. Kaylee Daume, Austyn Robinson, Aubrey Janes, Anna Klekamp, Sarah Waters and Jillian Weekley.

A year ago, Daume and Robinson qualified for sectionals in the shot put and 400, respectively.

Besides the seniors, other returning athletes for the MCHS boys team include juniors Kendrick Lewis and Cooper Sellenriek and sophomores Lafe McCurdy, Owen See, Attis Bartlett, Jacob Roesner and Noah Lacy.

Stephanie Finke returns for her 15th season as head coach.