Republic girls win Central Ozark Conference track title, first time since 1994

For the first time since 1994, Republic has won the Central Ozark Conference track and field championship. Republic topped second-place Ozark by 10.5 points, 129 to 118.5, to win the title at Ozark Wednesday. Nixa (105) finished third.
"The kids really bought in this year. We've got a core group that's been successful in the past, and once you have success, it builds on that," said coach Tori Mooneyham, who was a member of the 1994 team that won Republic’s last COC championship. "We were able to add a few new additions this year, and our coaching staff is just amazing. It takes all of us — we've got some amazing coaches, and we all coach each others' kids, and it all came together."
Gracie Troester won two individual events, helped a relay team win another, and finished second in a fourth event to pace Republic. Troester also broke her own school mark in the 1600-meter run.
Alaina Norman won the shot put and Jenna Belcher finished first in the triple jump. The 4x400m relay team of Gracie Woods, Kristin Probst, Rilynn Finley, and Norman won a conference title. So did the 4x800m relay team of Probst, Misora Nambara, Cali Thompson and Troester.
"They knew the chance was there (to win the team championship), and they seized it and rose to the challenge," Mooneyham said.
Zion Allen's tie for first place in the high jump was the top finish for the Republic boys.