Regional Radio Senior Spotlight - Track and Field: Central

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Central Rebels:
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Toby Cash

Cash was entering his fourth year as a member of the track and field team at Central and would have been a four year varsity letter recipient. He competed in the javelin throw for the Rebels. Coach Ragland says Cash was a guy he could always count on and had a great year last year. He expected him to grow even more this year and do great things for the Rebels in 2020.

Gaige Copeland

Copeland was entering just his second season as a member of the track and field team at Central. In his first season, as a junior, he was an MAAA All Conference selection as a javelin thrower. Coach Ragland said Copeland was a guy who wanted to come out as a junior and make a difference for the Rebels and he did just that. The expectations were through the roof for his senior year even though it was just his second season.

Jakob Martin

Martin was entering his first season as a member of the track and field team at Central. He would have competed in the high jump for the Rebels. Coach Ragland said that he was very excited for Martin to join the team this year because it’s always nice to have athletes come out who want to be there and want to compete.

Hunter Francis

Francis was also entering his first season as a member of the track and field team at Central. He would have competed in shot put, discus, and javelin for the Rebels. Francis did come out for the team as a junior, but was unable to finish the season, so he tried again for his senior season. Similarly to Jakob Martin, coach Ragland said it was great to have a guy like Hunter want to come out and compete and be a part of the program.

Trevor Johnson

Johnson was a multi-sport athlete at Central and star on the football field. He competed in the 4 X 100, 4 X 200 and 4 X 400 meter relays as a freshman to try and get better on the football field in his linebacker and fullback positions. Coach Ragland said it was nice to have an athlete come out for track and field to try and help the team succeed while also pushing himself to get better on the gridiron. Johnson has already signed to continue his football career at Missouri Baptist University in the fall.

Chase Nelson

Nelson was entering his fourth year as a member of the track and field team at Central and would have been a four year varsity letter recipient as well. Nelson competed in the high jump for the Rebels. Coach Ragland said he was a guy who was a great leader for the whole team and led by example. He was very coachable and would do anything to help Central win a meet even if it involved competing in something other than the high jump.

Brandon Viera

Viera was entering his fourth year as a member of the track and field team at Central and would have been a four year varsity letter recipient. Viera competed in the shot put and discus events for the Rebels. Coach Ragland said that he was a guy who always wanted to get better. His parents even bought him his own shot put ball and disc so he was able to practice on his own and excel.

Isaiah Welch

Welch was entering his fourth year as a member of the track and field team at Central and also would have been a four year varsity letter recipient. Welch was one of the more decorated track athletes at Central as he was a state qualifier his sophomore year in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles. He also competed in the 4 X 100, 4 X 200 and 4 X 400 relay. Coach Ragland said he was a guy who could do well at many events and was excited to see him excel in other events outside of the hurdles. Welch plans on continuing his track career at MAC in the fall.

Leah Barton

Barton was entering her third year as a member of the track and field team at Central. In her first season, as a sophomore, she was an alternate on the State qualifying 4 X 400 meter relay team. Barton also competed in the 100 meter high hurdles during her tenure with the Rebels. Leah was always known for being able and willing to step up and compete in an event that might not be her own if it was going to help the team.

Alexys Cook

Cook was entering her second year as a member of the track and field team at Central. She competed in three different relays her freshman year, the 4 X 100, 4 X 200 and 4 X 400. Due to injuries, she was unable to compete the last two seasons with the Rebels, however, according to coach Ragland she always stayed around the program and tried to help if she could. Cook would keep up to date with her teammates and see if they needed help with anything or congratulate them on a new personal record.

Makenzie Fincher

Fincher was one of two seniors on the girls side of the track and field squad at Central who would have been a four year varsity letter recipient. She competed in the triple jump for the Rebels the majority of the time. Coach Ragland says she was a very positive person around the coaches and her teammates and knew he could always rely on Fincher if he needed to fill a spot in a relay even though she mainly did the triple jump.

Mackenzie Mills

Mills was entering her fourth year as a member of the track and field team at Central and would have received a varsity letter for the fourth time as well. As a freshman, Mills was an MAAA Conference Champion in the long jump. Coach Ragland said she was very coachable and always bought into what they were trying to teach her. Mills was also a tremendous leader for the Rebels in three seasons.

Interview with Central Head Coach – Scott Ragland (BOYS):