LETTERS: STATE CHAMPIONS NEED IMPROVEMENTS TO TRACK

To the editor:

This past weekend in Jefferson City, Cape Girardeau Central High School track and field athletes produced three state championships. This is truly remarkable, and hearty congratulations are due Jay Meystedt, Jim Fox and the girls 4x400-meter relay team (Tobie Bittle, Kristin Tallent, Tosha Smith and Nicole Thiele). Also deserving recognition are Jerry Dement, Paula Watkins, Tim Rademaker and the other coaches for all the hours and effort they invested into the lives of these young people.

Now, in this Olympic centennial year, we need a decent, all-weather track worthy of these high-achieving young athletes and those who will follow them. A campaign is currently under way to raise funding necessary for renovation of Central's virtually unusable track. Donations are tax-deductible. Checks should be made out to the Cape Girardeau Public School Foundation, should include a notation of the purpose of the check and should be sent to Terry Kitchen, Athletic Director, Central High School, 205 Caruthers, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701. If Poplar Bluff and Sikeston can provide newer, serviceable tracks for their kids, surely Cape Girardeau, home of six state champions, can too.

DR. JAMES L. FLETCHER

Cape Girardeau