Republic returns two school record holders, a pair of pole vaulters with state expectations, and a distance group chasing a sixth straight state relay appearance. In all, Republic broke three school records and sent eight athletes to state last year, and several of those qualifiers are back in 2026.
Junior Keiran Govan holds the triple jump school record at 14.07 meters (46-02.50) after breaking Sean Brewer’s 1991 mark twice at last year’s sectional meet. He earned a state medal by tying for seventh in the high jump (1.88m). In the triple jump at state, he was in fifth place heading into the final round before getting bumped to ninth.
“It motivates me for sure. It sucks. I was hurting during that,” Govan said. “But I know this year it’s definitely motivation, and I feel I’m going to have some really big jumps this year.”
Govan was in Florida the week before the state meet last spring — a scheduling conflict he’s resolved this year. His high jump best of 6-02.75 puts him within range of Garrett Metscher’s school record of 6-07.5, set in 2013.
Junior Ekene Chukwu holds the boys discus school record at 49.96 meters after breaking Ryan Anstaett’s 2005 mark as a sophomore. He won the COC West championship (48.41m) and placed second at the Christian County Relays (45.43m).
Danny Fair and Sienna Blankenship give Republic a returning vaulter on both sides. Fair, a senior, cleared a season-best 4.27 meters — about two inches shy of Dick Clark’s school record of 14-2 from 1991. He finished second at the COC West championship and third at Nixa, but his season ended at sectionals when he couldn’t clear the bar.
“One of the worst feelings ever,” Fair said. He spent the off-season working on his approach speed. “Everybody likes to say that pole vaulters aren’t sprinters, but we are. You have to be fast to get high.”
Blankenship, a junior, won the COC championship as a sophomore (2.89m) and cleared 3.23 meters (10-07) for 12th at state. The school record is 12 feet, set by Haven Lander in 2016.
“This season’s all about technique,” Blankenship said. “We’re definitely chasing that 11-6 bar this season. I’m a hundred percent stronger and faster than I was last season.”
Senior Kaleb Norman won the COC West javelin championship last spring at 48.39 meters, then qualified for state and finished 14th (46.89m). Norman came to the event from baseball — he switched after his freshman year, and the javelin is what the coaching staff had in mind.
He said he’s spent the off-season working on technique as he heads into his senior season—his last go-round as a senior athlete.
“Your release is really big. You work on your lower half and your hips and helping it fly through the air,” he said. His target is Cooper Douglas’s school record of 53 meters. He’s hit 50 meters in practice during the pre-season.
Senior Avery Rossow is the top returning girls thrower after placing fourth in shot put (10.33m) and fifth in discus (31.80m) at the COC championship. She won districts as a sophomore, and last year’s disappointing finish drives her this spring.
“I want to carry that and use that as motivation to go further, and hopefully get to stay at the end of the season,” she said. “A key for me would be to not overthink anything. Go in there [with a] clear mindset and just do what we’ve been practicing.”
Republic’s 4×800 relay has qualified for the state meet five consecutive years. The Lady Tigers will be without all-stater Gracie Troester, one of the best distance runners in Republic history. But three of the four runners from last year’s state relay return — sophomores Josie Stalzer, Zoey Johns and Brylie Harris.
Harris was Republic’s top girls cross country runner this past fall. “I want to hit PRs and hopefully make it to state by the end of the season,” she said. “I just want to glorify God through my running and push myself for my team. If I’m going to be the anchor then I want to push myself for them.”
Senior Gavin Lawhon is the fastest returning sprinter after finishing third in the 100m at the COC West championship (10.88). Junior AJ Uhl won the 110m hurdles at the Christian County Relays (16.46) and finished in 16.03 at COC. Junior Trenten Coleman also provides versatility, both as a runner and a jumper.
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