Gage McAdams finishes off his high school career in the pole vault as a four-time state champion. Gage cleared 14’6” to win, then attempted a new state record of 15’3”.

Gage McAdams was all smiles as he stood on top of the medal stand on Saturday. Gage threw his best in the javelin on Saturday with a throw of 162’ 06” to place second. Gage also competed in the high jump and finished in 11th place in that event.

It was an exciting weekend for Atchison County tracksters competing in the Missouri State High School Athletic Association’s Class 1 Championships held May 17 and 18, 2019, in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Despite East Atchison only having two athletes competing on the boys’ team at state, Gage McAdams and Briacin Gebhards-Bywater did so well in their events that they placed sixth (a tie) as a team out of 62 teams. For only being a two-member team, this was quite a feat! Gage also won the state pole vault competition for the fourth year in a row. Even though he was unable to clear 15’3”, which he had cleared at sectionals, he was still able to reach a height that could not be surpassed by any other – 14’6”. Gage is just the second pole vaulter in Missouri history to win four state championships in the event.

Several individuals, from both East Atchison and Rock Port, medaled in their events. They include: Gage McAdams (EA) – pole vault, 1st, 14’6”, and javelin, 2nd, 162’6”; Kaely Kirwan (EA) – pole vault, 5th, 8’6”; Alivia Baucom (RP) – discus, 6th, 113’3” and shot put, 5th, 37’7”; Briacin Gebhards-Bywater – 110 meter hurdles, 2nd, 15.65 and 300 meter hurdles, 6th, 43.44; and Rock Port (Marisa Carder, Rachel Vogler, Riley Vogler, and Makenna Farmer) – 4×400 Meter Relay, 8th, 4:22.32.

Other event scores included: Gage McAdams (EA) – high jump, 11th, 6’; Dalton Stevens (RP) – discus, 13th, 126’11”; and Joey Herron (RP) – 110 meter dash, 15th, 11.86.

Rock Port’s 4×400 meter relay finished in 8th place with a time of 4:22.31. Members (pictured above, left to right) include Marisa Carder, Rachel Vogler, Riley Vogler, and Makenna Farmer.

Briacin Gebhards-Bywater (pictured above) had a good race Saturday out of lane one as he finished in 2nd place with a time of 15:65 in the 110 meter high hurdles.

Briacin is pictured on the stand with his second place medal for the event. Briacin also received a medal for his 6th place finish in the 300 meter hurdles.

Alivia Baucom (pictured above) had a shot put throw of 37’7” to finish in 5th place. Alivia also competed in the discus.

Alivia Baucom accepts a medal for her 6th place finish in the discus. She had a throw of 113’3″.

Dalton Stevens (pictured above) competed in the discus throw where he threw 126’11” to place 13th.

Joey Herron (pictured at left) ran well in the prelims finishing 15th with a time of 11:86.

Kaely Kirwan (pictured above) clears 8’6” to place 5th in the pole vault.

Kaely Kirwan takes the stand to receive her medal in that Pole Vault event.