2014 J-W All-Area Girls Track Team

The 2014 Journal-World All-Area Girls Track Team includes, from left, top row: athlete of the year Alexa Harmon-Thomas, Free State; Alexia Stein, Baldwin; Morgan Lober, Baldwin; Bailey Sullivan, Free State. Bottom row: coach of the year Jordan Rose, Free State; Kelsey Kehl, Baldwin; Matia Finley, Lawrence; Emily Venters, Free State. Not pictured: Taylor Corbitt, Mill Valley; Jannell Clampitt, De Soto; Rebecca Finley, Lawrence.

Athlete of the Year

Alexa Harmon-Thomas, Free State

One of the most accomplished hurdlers in Kansas high school history, Harmon-Thomas capped her final prep season by defending her Class 6A state titles in the 100 and 300 hurdles. The University of Texas signee ends her career as a seven-time state champion.

Coach of the Year

Jordan Rose, Free State

The first-year coach led the Firebirds to first place in the Sunflower League, regionals and their second straight Class 6A state championship. Free State earned points from nearly every area: sprints, distance, hurdles, throws and jumps.

First team

Taylor Corbitt, Mill Valley — Corbitt won a 5A state championship in the triple jump with a leap of 35-4.5, topping the rest of the field in her final jump. The Jaguars’ sophomore also won a Kaw Valley League title in the pole vault.

Jannell Clampitt, De Soto — A former Level 6 state champion gymnast in Iowa, Clampitt won Frontier League, regional and 4A state titles in the pole vault this spring. The sophomore set a new school record, clearing 10 feet, 9 inches.

Alexa Harmon-Thomas, Free State — Despite missing most of the season because of a stress reaction in her left foot, Harmon-Thomas won every hurdles race she entered. She ran the fastest time in the state this spring in the 300 hurdles (43.69) and 100 hurdles (14.61).

Kelsey Kehl, Baldwin — Kehl won a 4A state championship in the javelin with a toss of 147-10, and also took fourth in the discus (121-2). The sophomore also picked up a regional title in the javelin and she won seven meets in that event this year.

Matia Finley, Lawrence — Matia Finley repeated as 6A state champion in the discus with a toss of 141 feet, 10 inches. The LHS junior also took Sunflower League and regional titles in the discus while placing fifth in the shot put at state. Her season-best toss in the discus (155-8) ranks 10th in state history.

Rebecca Finley, Lawrence — Rebecca Finley won Sunflower League and regional titles in the shot put. At state, she was the 6A runner-up in the discus to her twin sister for the second straight year and took seventh in the shot put.

Morgan Lober, Baldwin — The Baker University signee ran the fastest 400 in the state this spring (56.80) and defended her 4A state title. Lober also ran the anchor of Baldwin’s state champion 4×400 and 4×800 relays. She won six state titles in her career — two individually and four through anchoring relays.

Alexia Stein, Baldwin — The Bulldogs’ junior won 4A state titles in the shot put (44-3.75) and in the discus (139-4). Stein also won Frontier League and regional titles in the shot put. Her personal-best in the shot put (44-10.25) was the best in 4A this spring.

Bailey Sullivan, Free State — Sullivan defended her state title in the 1,600, breaking the Free State school record and running the 17th fastest time in state history (4:59.43). The Texas Christian University signee also was runner-up at state in the 800.

Emily Venters, Free State — After winning a state title in cross-country, the freshman won a state championship in the 3,200 (10:58.08). Venters also added a second-place finish in the 1,600 and took fifth in the 800 at her first state track meet.

Honorable mention

Kiara Clark, Free State; Gabbi Dabney, Free State; Kristi Daigh, Eudora; Jensen Edwards, Lawrence; Haley Griffin, Tonganoxie; Jordan Hoffman, Baldwin; Teri Huslig, Veritas Christian; Lexia Jamison, Perry-Lecompton; Kasey Meeks, Mill Valley; Kennedy O’Dell, Eudora; Claire Sanner, Free State; Kyleigh Severa, Lawrence; Emma Taylor, Perry-Lecompton; Holly Webb, Mill Valley; Scout Wiebe, Free State.