Samantha Turner waited 312 days for this moment.

When she competed in the season-opening Montgomery County Early Invite on March 25, the Montgomery County sophomore was thrilled to return for another season of track after enjoying a memorable freshman season that included a trip to the awards podium at the Class 3 state meet.

“I was ready for it,” Turner said. “I’ve been ready for it all year. It’s one of my favorite sports to come out here and do. I love coming out here with the rest of my girls and just showing up for our county and our team and having a good time.”

Turner turned in strong performances in the throwing events, earning a third-place medal in the discus in a personal-best 90 feet, 6 inches and placing fifth in the shot put in 32-7.5.

“It was a good way to start off the year. I had good throws in the discus and the shot,” Turner said. “I’m really happy to be back and throwing again.”

Last year, Turner was one of five MCHS athletes who earned all-state honors after placing seventh in the shot put. The sophomore said in order to go back to Jefferson City this year, she needs to continue improving on her throws.

“It’s really a technique thing,” she said. “I have to finish up and get that technique just right. That way, when I do go to these bigger meets, I’ll be able to really show what I can do.”

Turner, who started competing in track in eighth grade, was the Wildcats’ top performer in the throwing events in 2024. She finished in the top 10 in the shot put nine times and had five top-10 finishes in the discus.

Turner caught fire in the final month of the season. In addition to her all-state medal in the shot put, Turner won the event at the Eastern Missouri Conference and district meets and placed second in sectionals.

Turner said she improved tremendously from her first meet, where she finished ninth in the shot put and eighth in the discus at the Montgomery County Early Invite.

“In the beginning of the year, I had a rough start,” Turner said. “I couldn’t quite get the marks that I was hoping to get, but towards the end, all of the hard work started to pay off. You can see more marks that were higher and higher. It really felt good to work and see the difference from middle school coming into high school and getting bigger and better marks all year.”

Turner won the shot put in 32 feet, 3 inches at the EMO meet, which was held at Jim Blacklock Field. Her effort helped the Wildcats win their fifth conference title in six years.

“It was really fun,” Turner said. “That meet was probably one of my favorites other than state. Getting out here and really helping out the team and helping them win a conference title was a great feeling. It was a great feeling to get good marks and get that far mark that I was finally wanting. It just really felt good to help out the team.”

A week later, Turner came out on top at the Class 3, District 3 meet at MCHS, winning with a throw of 32-0.25. She was one of seven Wildcats to qualify for sectionals.

“I came in just thinking to stay humble and not try to do too much,” Turner said. “Coming in there and being able to win was an amazing feeling. It’s one of the best feelings to be able to show up and show out.”

Turner clinched a state berth by placing second with a 34-7.5 at the sectional meet in Paris. She surpassed that mark at the state meet, throwing a 35-6 to earn a spot on the awards podium.

Turner became the first MCHS freshman since 2021 to earn all-state honors. She was also one of two freshmen to pick up an all-state medal in the Class 3 shot put.

“Personally, it was very nerve-racking,” Turner said. “I was nervous going into it. Being a freshman and going to state is scary. You’re going up against girls who are committed to Division I level schools. It was scary, but once I got in there and started throwing, it was so much fun. It was probably one of the best track experiences I ever had.”

Turner has also been successful in softball. Last fall, she hit .438 to help the Wildcats win a school-record 22 games.