AREA SQUADS BEGIN QUEST OF TRACKING DOWN STATE BERTHS

Today, the area's track athletes will begin their quest to prove they're among the state's best when they compete in district competition.

Jackson and Cape Central will compete in the Class 4A, District 1 meet at Fox. Perryville, Fredericktown and Sikeston will compete in the Class 3A District 1 at Perrvyille. And in 2A, Chaffee, Scott City and Kelly will do battle at Southeast Missouri State University's track in Cape Girardeau.

In Classes 3A and 4A, the top four athletes in each district will move onto sectional action, one step away from Jefferson City. The Class 3A-4A meet will be held May 25-26.

In Classes 1A and 2A, the top two individuals in each district will go directly to the state's capital next Friday and Saturday.

CLASS 4A

Cape Central

The Lady Tigers, getting more and more healthy, enter district as the team to beat, while Poplar Bluff seems to be the favorite in the boys' competition.

With a core of excellent distance runners and with Heather Jenkins, who is almost a lock to return to state in the shot put and discus, the deep Lady Tigers team will be tough to beat.

"I think we've got a good chance," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said.

Brookins is excited about the return of Courtney Edge and Tafaris Wilderness. Edge, especially, could be a factor as a possible qualifier in the 100, 200 and the 4x100 team. Edge has been bothered by a quadriceps injury this season and hasn't competed in a meet since late March.

But while Edge and Wilderness are back, another key member, Lanie Bohnsack, injured her knee and is questionable for the triple jump, high jump and 4x400 team.

Kim Pancoast, Central's stellar distance runner, will run the 3,200 instead of the 1,600. Pancoast ran the 3,200 for the first time this season a couple weeks ago and broke the school record. She'll also run the 800, the 4x800 and the 4x400.

Alex Wieser (long jump, 400), Lauren Lee (long jump) and Ashley Colon (shot put) all have chances to advance to the sectional round.

On the boys side, Mark Stone has been strong in the distance events, the 3,200 in particular. Stone, Ross Tilghman and Gabe Austin will be competitive in all the distance events.

O.J. Turner has a shot at advancing in the discus, 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles, while Michael Cox is strong in the 110 hurdles as well.

Anthony Harris could move on in the high jump.

Jackson

For Jackson, sprinter Mario Whitney will draw the most attention. Jackson coach Bob Sink, who was certain last week Whitney would be 100 percent by today, wasn't so sure Thursday.

"We'll see," Sink said. "It's still day-to-day but I think he'll be ready to go."

Whitney took third at state in the 100 last year and sixth in the 200.

Jackson's 4x100 team should be vying for a title with Whitney, Brian Randolf, Josh Hervas and Ray Goodson. The Indians' 4x400 team could also finish in the top four. Sink wasn't sure which four would be running that race as Goodson, Todd Shelton, Chris Schuette, Josh Goreman and Gabe Baugh have all participated this year.

Also for the Indians' boys squad, Stuart McIntosh is the front-runner in the pole vault. McIntosh was injured for most of the season, but his vault of 14 feet at the SEMO Conference meet is a foot better than any of the heights posted by district opponents.

Jon Coleman should advance in the 110 hurdles and could advance in the 300 hurdles. His 110 time is the second best in the conference, while his 300 time is the fourth-best.

Travis Dambach and Shelton will compete for the top four spots in the shot put and the 800, respectively.

Lindsey Meyr is almost a sure bet to advance to sectionals in two events for the Lady Indians. Meyr has the best long jump in the district and the second-best time in the 400.

Heidi Jansen has thrown the second-best shot put in the district.

The 4x400 team of Heather West, Rachel Smith, Jessica Venable and Jeanna Bolen and the 4x100 squad of Smith, West, Bolen and Meyr should both be in contention for a sectional berth as well.

CLASS 3A

Perryville, which is hosting the district meet for the first time in the school's history, has a shot at sending several athletes to sectionals.

Kevin Bohnert has a shot to qualify in four events while Kevin Bohnert and Jesse Whistler could qualify in three.

All three athletes, along with Kyle Dobbelare, are members of the 4x100 and 4x200 teams. Perryville's time in the 400 relay is the third-best time recorded among the district's 15 teams, while the 800 team's time is the fifth best.

Bohnert could qualify in the 100 and 200 sprints as well. Bohnert's 11.00 time in the 100 is good for second best in the district, while his 200 time of 22.6 is the fourth best.

Crannick excels in the long jump, where he took 10th in state last year. His season-best jump of 21-10 is the second-best in district. Whistler has the fourth-best time in the 300 hurdles.

On the girls side, Susan Miller has the opportunity to qualify in three individual events and a relay. Miller hasn't been beaten in the 400 this year. She has also been among the top in the 100 and 200.

"I think she'll get through on all three," Bell said.

Miller is also on the 4x400 team with Sara Lappe, Gina Bureck and Katie Kutz. The team's best time of 4:15 is the second best posted by any of the district teams.

Bell said Sikeston is the team to beat in the district, while defending champ Park Hills, Herculaneum and Perryville should be in the hunt.

On the girls side, Bell said, Festus, Sikeston and Herculaneum should compete for the team title.

CLASS 2A

Kelly's Adam Daughttee, a junior phenom who won state in the 1,600 last year and took fifth in the 3,200, should advance to state again this year.

He also teams up with Adam Lofton, Lance Ferrell and Ashley Hahn on the 4x800 squad which could finish in the top two.

For Chaffee, sophomore Jennifer Vandeven could possibly qualify in three events, the 100, 200 and 400.

Her best time in the 100 (12.7) and the 200 (26.79) is the second best among district competitors. Her best time in the 400 -- the event she qualified for state as a freshman last year -- is the best in the district.

"It's going to be tough for her," Chaffee coach Terry Glenzy said. "It's a good district. With the prelims, she'll end up running six races. But she's capable of it."

Scott City freshman standout Loren Groves will have a shot at advancing in the 100 hurdles, the 300 hurdles and the discus.

"I don't know how she compares to some of the kids from St. Louis," Scott City coach Roy Williams said. "But whatever events she took part in, she's taken first place in all of them this year."

Williams said Ricky Keller has a chance at advancing in the shot put. His best throw has been 133 feet.

District glance

Class 4A, District 1

at Fox High School

10:30 a.m.

Teams: Cape Central, Farmington, Fox, Hillsboro, Lindbergh, Mehlville, Northwest House Springs, Oakville, Poplar Bluff, Seckman

Class 3A, District 1

at Perryville High School

11 a.m.

Teams: New Madrid County Central, Park Hills, De Soto, Dexter, Festus, Fredericktown, Herculaneum, North County, Perryville, Potosi, Sikeston, St. Pius X (Festus), Ste. Genevieve, Windsor

Class 2A, District 1

at Abe Stuber Track in Cape Girardeau

11 a.m.

Teams: Brentwood, Cardinal Ritter, Caruthersville, Chaffee, Charleston, Crystal City, East Prairie, Grandview, Hayti, Kelly, Lutheran North, Malden, Maplewood Richmond Heights, Portageville, Scott City