The 2024 State Fair Community College (SFCC) Roadrunners Track and Field roster consists of a handful of sophomores, but even with such a young roster, Head Coach Brad Hagedorn likes what he has seen from his team so far in practices.
"Practices have gone very well," said Hagedorn. "We have recruited very hard to have some more competitive kids. We have a group of kids who really want to work. There has been a lot of extra stuff outside of practice going on, because the kids really dedicated themselves. They adjust to things well, they are smart. They take what you say as a coach, digest it and apply it. It's been really nice."
Coach Hagedorn has been impressed by freshman Isaiah Waller as well as freshman Joseph Bland, both from Versailles Jasper Degraffenreid from Eldon is another thrower. Peyton Ligon from Ozark is a high jumper who comes in and does the extra work.
Coach Hagedorn has also been impressed with the leadership of sophomore Addison Richards from Lone Jack.
"Addison does everything the way he is supposed to," said Hagedorn. "His teammates look to him. We don't have a lot of sophomores; he was relatively successful as a freshman on the track last year. He is just a good person."
SFCC will be tested by a tough slate of competition. The Roadrunners will open their indoor campaign on Saturday, Jan. 13 at Southeast Missouri State University. SFCC will travel to the UCM Mules Invite on Friday Jan.19, followed by the Principa Relays on Jan. 26 to close out the month.
SFCC will travel to Washburn University on Saturday, Feb. 10. The Roadrunners will travel to Illinois College on Friday, Feb. 16. The NJCAA Division I Indoor National Championships will begin on Friday, March 1.
SFCC will open their outdoor schedule at Central Methodist University on Saturday, March 16. SFCC will travel to Missouri S & T on Saturday, March 23. The Roadrunners will travel to Southwest Baptist on Saturday, March 30.
SFCC will open the month of April at the UCM Invite on Friday, April 12. SFCC will travel to Culver -Stockton College on Saturday, April 20. SFCC will close the month of April at Grandview University on Saturday, April 27. The NJCAA Division I Outdoor National Championships will begin on Thursday, May 16.
Coach Hagedorn expects the throwing events to be strong for SFCC. He also expects the distance runners to eventually be pretty good on the track.
"There is a little bit of an adjustment from fall cross country to going and running on a track," said Hagedorn. "It requires a little bit more speed. They will be much improved a year from now, but immediately I think we will be able to make an impact in our field events."
Coach Hagedorn has some goals he would like to see the Roadrunners accomplish this season.
"We've been fortunate to have a smattering of kids qualify for the National Championships," said Hagedorn. "I would like to be able to take 10 kids from our men's and women's teams together, whether that happens is kind of up to them. I think our throws group and our high jumpers have an opportunity to do that, but we'll have to wait and see how it plays out. One key to our season will be consistency. We have to stay healthy, stay consistent early and get better as the season goes on. I think we'll peak and have a good showing at the National Championships. We have to have consistent effort and continue to do the work in the classroom and in the weight room and practice, as well as take care of the technique work in practice. If we do those things, I think we will be fine. Collectively, I really like our men's and women's team. I've been doing this a long time, and I would put this group of men and women in my top five all-time teams. They are a pleasure to be around, they do well in school and our combined grade point average for both teams was over 3.0. They're all good people who work hard and care. I have thoroughly enjoyed them."
David Rohrbach
SFCC Athletics