Congratulations to Mt. Vernon Rams Track & Field, this week’s Josh Finley Country Financial Rams of the Week from WMIX Sports! The Runnin’ Rams claimed the championship at the Roger Minton Early Indoor Track and Field Invitational at Marion on Saturday, March 1, 2025! The Rams edged the host Wildcats to earn the first place finish. The Rams scored a top-finish in the 4×200 meter relay thanks to a 1:37.37 performance from Alex Knappier, Keaton Koch, Noah Ellis and JaShawn Staples. Koch would also take runner up in the 60 meter hurdles at 8.66 seconds, while Trace Elliott was 2nd in the 800 with 2:10.64, Spencer Sledge’s 13 feet in the pole vault was also good for 2nd place. The Rams 4×400 meter relay team (Koch, Jayden Jones, Jack Laughlin, Rowan Wilford) ran 3:43.25 and also finished second. Third place finishers included Jones in the 800 with his 2:10.77 while Joel Hayes ran the 3200 (meters) in 10:14.44. Sawyer Lusby finished 4th in the 60 meter hurdles in 9.08 seconds while Wilford ran “the mile” (1600 meters) in 4:43.13. The 60 meter dash saw the Rams’ Knappier finish fifth at 7.26 seconds with Malakai Mays not far behind in sixth at 7.29 seconds. Jack Kessler finished six in the 200 at 24.87 seconds. According to Athletic.net, the Rams set 32 personal records between the prelims and finals! Not a bad day in Williamson County! Way to go, Runnin’ Rams!
Full Team Scores:
1. Mt. Vernon 79
2. Marion 76
3. Centralia 66.5
4. Carbondale 60
5. Benton 50
6. Murphysboro 47.5
7. Pinckneyville 46
8. Paducah (Tilghman) 45
9. Herrin 30
10. Du Quoin 28
11. Carterville 18
12. Mattoon 16.5
13. Chester 13
14. Newton 12
15. Harrisburg 11
16. Marshall County 10
17. Anna-Jonesboro 8.5
18. Madison 4
19. Christ Our Rock Lutheran 3
Mt. Vernon Individual Results (from Athletic.net)
60 Meter Dash Varsity – Finals
5. Alex Knappier 7.26a
6. Malakai Mays 7.29a
60 Meter Dash Varsity – Prelims
4. Alex Knappier 7.30a
9. Malakai Mays 7.40a
12. JaShawn Staples 7.43a
200 Meters Varsity – Finals
6. Jack Kessler 24.87a
8. Malakai Mays 24.95a
12. Esaias Jefferson 25.54a
400 Meters Varsity – Finals
8. Jack Laughlin 56.41a
11. JaeMarion Peterson 57.94a
33. Karmaine Hopkins 1:05.67a
600 Meters Varsity – Finals
12. Evan Wagner 1:45.59a
15. Brian Welch 1:53.94a
800 Meters Varsity – Finals
2. Trace Elliott 2:10.64a
3. Jayden Jones 2:10.77a
7. Carson Workman 2:15.12a
1600 Meters Varsity – Finals
4. Rowan Wilford 4:43.15a
22. Ethan Karch 5:15.70a
26. Phillip VanKampen 5:20.16a
3200 Meters Varsity – Finals
3. Joel Hayes 10:14.44a
7. Ayden Warren 11:25.45a
60m Hurdles – 39″ Varsity – Finals
2. Keaton Koch 8.66a
4. Sawyer Lusby 9.08a
60m Hurdles – 39″ Varsity – Prelims
2. Keaton Koch 8.77a
4. Sawyer Lusby 9.17a
20. Caine Kessler 12.75a
4×200 Relay Varsity – Finals
1. Alex Knappier, Keaton Koch, Noah Ellis, JaShawn Staples 1:37.37a
4×400 Relay Varsity – Finals
2. Keaton Koch, Jayden Jones, Jack Laughlin, Rowan Wilford 3:43.25a
4×800 Relay Varsity – Finals
Jayden Jones, Trace Elliott, Carson Workman, Rowan Wilford SCR
Shot Put – 12lb Varsity – Finals
19. Logan Webb 11.82m
35. Jace Wilson 9.42m
Zachary Webb ND
High Jump Varsity – Finals
13. JaeMarion Peterson J1.57m
Pole Vault Varsity – Finals
2. Spencer Sledge J3.96m
Jack Kessler SCR
Long Jump Varsity – Finals
8. Alex Knappier 5.92m
9. Noah Ellis 5.78m
Triple Jump Varsity – Finals
11. JaKenzie Barnett 10.94m