Journal-World 2017 All-Area boys track team

The Journal-World's 2017 All-Area boys track and field team, from left, Avant Edwards, Free State; Cole Phillips, Free State; Shane Quinlan, Perry-Lecompton; Hunter Krom, Lawrence; Harrison King, Lawrence; James Reeder Lawrence; Coach of the Year Kasi Packard, Perry-Lecompton; Blake Adamson, Baldwin; Chance Sterba, Eudora; Braeden Manley, Eudora; Athlete of the Year LeeRoi Johnson, Tonganoxie.

Athlete of the Year: LeeRoi Johnson, Tonganoxie

One of the top discus throwers in state history, Johnson won the Class 4A state title by more than 20 feet. His best throw of the season (192 feet, 10 inches) was one of the top marks in the nation and ranked 16th all-time in Kansas. Johnson, a junior, placed third at state in the shot put (54 feet, 0.5 inches) after winning a regional title in the event.

Coach of the Year: Kasi Packard, Perry-Lecompton

The Kaws posted a second-place finish at the Big Seven League meet and followed it with a third-place showing at their regional. At the Class 3A state meet, the Kaws scored 14.33 points and finished in 17th.

First team

Blake Adamson, Baldwin — In his senior season, Adamson took third place in the javelin at the 4A state meet. He took first place at six meets throughout the season, including regional and Frontier League titles, with a season-best throw of 179 feet, 8 inches.

Avant Edwards, Free State — Edwards placed sixth at the 6A state meet in the 1,600 meters (4:31.32) after winning a regional title in the event. The junior was seventh in the 1,600 at the Sunflower League meet and ninth in the 800.

Harrison King, Lawrence — After recording a runner-up finish at regionals in the javelin, the Lawrence junior followed by placing sixth at the 6A state meet. King took fourth at the Sunflower League meet (174 feet) and was fifth at the Kansas Relays.

Hunter Krom, Lawrence — Krom saved his best throws for the end of the season and took second at the 6A state meet with a season-best throw of 204 feet, 2 inches. Krom, a junior, was champion in six meets, including Sunflower League and regional titles.

Braeden Manley, Eudora — A school record holder in the pole vault, Manley took eighth place at the 4A state meet. Outside of the Kansas Relays, the senior won all of his regular season meets including Frontier League and regional titles with a season-best mark of 14 feet, 2 inches.

Shane Quinlan, Perry-Lecompton — Quinlan won Big Seven League titles in the 400 and 4×400 relay. The sophomore followed with a 4×400 title at regionals and runner-up showings in the 200, 400 and 4×100. At 3A state, he was sixth in the 400 prelims (51.20).

Cole Phillips, Free State — The sophomore sprinter was seventh in the 400 (51.01) at the 6A state meet and helped the Firebirds to sixth in the 4×400 relay, running the second leg. Phillips won regional titles in the 400 and 4×400.

James Reeder, Lawrence — Reeder won a regional title in the 110 hurdles, was third in the 300 hurdles and contributed to a fourth-place finish in the 4×100 relay. The senior, runner-up in 110 hurdles at the Sunflower League meet, took ninth in both hurdling events at 6A state.

Shawn Spurling, Eudora — At the 4A state meet, Spurling had a season-best throw of 174 feet, 4 inches on his way to sixth place. The Cardinals’ senior placed second at regionals and third at the Frontier League meet.

Chance Sterba, Eudora — Sterba won a Frontier League title in the shot put with a season-best throw of 52 feet, 7.5 inches. The senior took fifth at the 4A state meet and was fourth at regionals. Sterba added a runner-up showing in the discus at the league meet.

Honorable mention

Jacob Bailey, Baldwin; Drew Cook, Tonganoxie; Santino Gee, Lawrence; Joshua LeClair, Perry-Lecompton; Ty Packard, Perry-Lecompton; Kyle Snyder, Tonganoxie; Malachi Starr, Free State; Bryce Tibke, Lawrence; Parker Wilson, Baldwin; Tyler Winsor, Free State.