Joomla Login LightBox powered by WowJoomla.com

Keeney ultimately comes through, while Dowell scores hurdles double

Athletes don’t come much more affable than CJ Keeney.

But laughter was understandably in short supply Saturday, May 16, at the Class 3 District 8 track and field competition at Excelsior Springs High.

The Smithville High senior was down to his last throw in the shot put. He knew he needed to go big, or he was going home.

"When it’s crunch time, when the lights are on, so to speak, CJ’s at his best," said Smithville head track coach Greg Smith. "At that moment, he knew his season was on the line and came up with a throw that got him to next week."

Welcome to the three-week reality show that’s all the rage for the final three weeks of May throughout Missouri — Survivor: Track Meet.

Keeney got his immunity, coming up with a throw of 46 feet even to finish fourth, advance to the Class 3 Sectional 4 meet Saturday, May 23, at Kearney High, and keep his dream alive of a

repeat trip to the state meet May 29-30 in Jefferson City.

He will be joined at sectionals by junior hurdler Randall Dowell, who pulled off a successful double by finishing third in both the 110-meter version (15.44 seconds) and the 300 edition (41.30). Senior thrower Dakota Stinson is also still alive for a state repeat after taking fourth in the discus (133-11), junior Ben Barrows settled into fourth in the 3,200 (10:15.20) and the 3,200 relay also nabbed the fourth and final spot (8:23.91).

"We had several tough events. It was a very competitive district track meet this year," Smith said. "I thought Randall had a good day. He ran clean races in both of them, no major mistakes."

Now comes the challenge for Dowell — making sure there are no mental errors next week as he attempts to secure that elusive first trek to state.

"Last year I got really nervous and didn’t get focused," said Dowell about sectionals. "Hopefully I can stay focused and relax a little bit.

"They’re both going to be really great races … it’s to the point where the ones who make it are the people who don’t make mistakes, because everybody’s about the same speed."

Sports Editor Scott Tittrington can be reached at 389-6632 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed