Three Palmyra high jumpers qualify for state after solid performances at Paris Sectional

PARIS, Mo. — A little friendly competition never hurts, especially when a trip to state is on the line.

Carson Hicks and Luke Sheppard used their competition to catapult themselves to berths at the Class 3 boys track and field state championships, taking place May 17-18 at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City. The Palmyra pair finished first and second in the high jump at Saturday’s Paris Sectional.

Both jumpers cleared the bar at 1.90 meters and had clinched state berths, but Hicks had no intentions of stopping there. He one-upped Sheppard by completing a successful jump at 1.92 meters.

“Obviously I don’t want to lose to my teammate,” Hicks said.

Sheppard kept going, too, and even though he did not match Hicks. The 1.90-meter jump matched a personal best, which he set at the Class 3 District 4 event last Saturday. He wasn’t sure what to expect in the sectional, having only earned the fifth seed.

“I really didn’t expect to jump a 1.90 at districts,” Sheppard said. “I was worried all week, really, because I knew I had to beat at least one person out.”

Hicks is ranked No. 1 in Class 3 with a personal best of 1.98 meters. While this is the first time Sheppard can recall going toe-to-toe with Hicks, he said competing with a talent the likes of Hicks pushes him to new heights.

“It’s really cool to have a teammate that pushes you to be better and is one of the best,” Sheppard said.

Hicks attempted a 1.96-meter jump, but by this point, he said his legs were getting a little heavy. The 9 a.m. start didn’t help matters, either.

“Early in the morning, long bus ride, but I got the job done, so it’s alright,” Hicks said.

While Hicks did not have his best stuff at this sectional, he said that would have to change for him to bring a state title back to Palmyra.

Shortly after Hicks and Sheppard secured their bids to Jefferson City, junior Ruby Comstock punched her ticket to state with a jump of 1.47 meters, good for second in the sectional behind Orchard Farm senior Sophia Ditmeyer, who entered the competition as the No. 6 seed. While the third-seeded Comstock did not take great satisfaction in how she jumped Saturday, she gladly will take a state berth considering this is her first year on the track team.

“I just wanted to try some physical activity, so I said, ‘Why not do track,’” she said. “I’ve always been hop, skip and jump-like, so it’s fun to be able to do this and be good at it.”

Comstock has her sights on a high finish at state, but she isn’t putting a lot of pressure on herself. She would like to improve on Saturday’s performance, however.

“I’m shooting to place for sure, but you really never know,” she said. “Hopefully not a 1.47.”

Carson’s sister Chloe Hicks earned the No. 2 seed in the sectional but an ankle injury limited her to a seventh-place finish.

“(Chloe) got a really bad injury two days ago,” Comstock said. “It stinks that she can’t go.”

Junior pole vaulter Evan Pennewell will be going, though. The sixth seeded junior finished third with a best effort of 4.30 meters. He will join Comstock, Hicks, Sheppard and seven other Palmyra athletes at the state championships.