`HEROES' TO CARRY OLYMPIC TRADITION

Twenty-five "Community Heroes" from Southeast Missouri won't be competing in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, but they will share in the glory as they carry the Olympic Torch.

"We're being represented by some of the best people Southeast Missouri has to offer," Cape Girardeau Mayor Al Spradling III said Thursday when the "Community Heroes" were named.

The 25 area residents will be among 5,500 "Community Hero" torchbearers chosen to help cover the 15,000-mile route from Los Angeles to Atlanta.

The torchbearers will carry the 3.5-pound torch one kilometer, or about six-tenths of a mile.

"Better you than I, 'cause I don't think I could go the six-tenths and you all can," Spradling joked. "We applaud you for that and we're very happy that this event can be part of Southeast Missouri."

Locally, the Area Wide United Way and a community judging panel screened applicants on the basis of four criteria: outstanding volunteer work; service as community leaders, role models or mentors; acts of generosity or kindness; and performance of extraordinary feats or accomplishments.

Howard Alexander, who led the local judging panel, called the torchbearers people "who have gone the distance to earn a place in history. They have given their time, their love and their talents to this area and now it is our turn to give something back."

The Olympic Torch will reach Cape Girardeau on Memorial Day, May 27, said Nancy Jernigan, executive director of the Area Wide United Way.

A local committee is "working to put together a lot of events between now and then" to celebrate the torch run, Jernigan said.

The group includes a former Olympic gold medalist, police officers, married couples, children, teachers and other "everyday people" who have made a difference in their communities. The Olympian is Ginny Fuldner of Monett, a swimmer who competed in the 1964 games.

Kacie Crites, 12, of Jackson, said her mother, Dixie, used to push her in a baby carriage while she jogged to build up her strength.

"I like to run, too," said Kacie, who also plays basketball, soccer and other sports. "I think this will be a good experience," she said.

Kacie said she hopes she'll make it to the Olympics herself one day as a basketball player.

Joyce McIntosh of Jackson, an aerobics instructor, was nominated by a friend.

"I really never even thought about doing it," she said. "I had a sister who ran the torch in Lake Placid, N.Y., a couple of years ago when it was there, and I thought it would be nice to do it, too."

Andrew Bettag, 14, of Cape Girardeau, said, "One of my friends had done it a couple of years ago, and I thought it would be fun to do it, too."

Andrew was nominated by his sister.

Ike Hammonds and Charles Herbst, both members of the Cape Girardeau Police Department, also will be carrying the torch.

"I've been interested in track and field in the Olympics since 1972," Hammonds said. "The summer games are what I'm interested in, so I'm just on top of the world right now."

Hammonds said he's a "seasonal runner" and doesn't run in the winter.

Herbst said he doesn't run regularly, but he'll make the six-tenths of a mile the torch run will require.

"I ride my bike a lot. That's how I get my physical activity," he said.

James Burke of Cape Girardeau said he carried the torch during the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival when it came through Cape Girardeau.

"That was exciting, but it doesn't have the same history and everything that's involved with the Olympics themselves. I was excited to be doing that," he said. "I imagine once you grab the torch and you're actually running with it, you'll feel the significance of it."

Shirley and Stan Essner of Benton were nominated by their oldest daughter.

The Essners aren't runners, Shirley said.

"We'll have to go into training," Stan joked.

Eky and Jerry Combs of Kennett and their daughter, Malinda Harris, also of Kennett, were all chosen to carry the Olympic torch.

"It's great," Jerry said. "It's fantastic."

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience," Eky said.

Kayse Lenox, 10, of Dexter said she's "excited" to be carrying the torch, and said her coach at school nominated her.

"I'm extremely proud of her," said Kayse's mother, Pam Lenox.

Kayse has cerebral palsy, but that won't stop her from making the run, Pam Lenox said.

"That's her attitude toward life: No challenge too big," she said.

A total of 10,000 torchbearers will participate in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay, presented by Coca Cola. The relay will begin April 27 when the Olympic flame arrives in Los Angeles from Athens, Greece, and will end July 19 with the opening ceremonies of the Olympic games in Atlanta.

Torch relay

These 25 "Community Heroes" will carry the torch in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay when it passes through Cape Girardeau on Memorial Day.

Cape Girardeau

James Burke, Terry McDowell, Rod Nobis, Jill Kinder, Andrew Bettage, Jeffrey Krantz, Charles Herbst, Ike Hamonds, Kevin Leathers, Harold Meyr and Jack Watts

Jackson

Kacie Crites, Dennis Marchi, Gene Penzel and Joyce McIntosh

Benton

Shirley and Stan Essner

Kennett

Eky and Jerry Combs and Malinda Harris

Advance

Kenneth and Jan McFerron

Battlefield

Price Kellar

Dexter

Kayse Lenox

Monnett

Ginny Fuldner