ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Tatum Kitchen

School: Cape Central

Class: Senior

Sport: Baseball

Position: Third Base-Pitcher

Coach: Steve Williams

Week report: Kitchen celebrated his 18th birthday last week with a phenomenal three games of baseball in which he hit .909 (10-for-11) with 10 RBIs and two home runs. He also hurled a complete-game victory over Poplar Bluff last Saturday, helping himself with a 4-for-4 performance at the plate with three doubles. Wednesday he popped a three-run home run in an 11-1 rout of Jackson and Thursday at Harrisburg (Ill.) went 4-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. The three victories improved Central to 4-1.

On the season: In his third year as a starter, Kitchen is off to a remarkable start this season. Batting in the clean-up spot, Kitchen's been a terror at the plate. He leads the Tigers in batting average (.733), home runs (2) and RBI's (12). Besides hitting safely in the Tigers' first five games, Kitchen is also 1-0 on the mound with a complete game.

Coach's comments: "Tatum's very athletic and now he's allowing his baseball talents to come through. He's a big part of our line-up, both offensively and defensively. He's throwing real hard on the mound and is off to his best start yet."

Grace Freeman

School: Cape Central

Class: Junior

Sport: Swimming

Events: Freestyle Sprints

Coach: Dayna Powell

Week report: In Monday's 140-46 home-win over Oakville, Freeman recorded two state-qualifying times in the 200- and 500-yard freestyle events with times of 2:05.40 and 5:35.50 respectively. She also anchored Central's winning 200 and 500 freestyle teams. The Lady Tigers placed second Friday at the four-team Rockwood Summit meet, but Freeman continued her winning ways. She won the 50-yard freestyle (26:62) and 100 breaststroke (1:12.56). Freeman was also on two winning relay teams, the medley relay and 400 freestyle squads.

On the season: Freeman is currently undefeated on the year and has produced state-qualifying times in every event she's competed in. An all-state performer in three events her freshman year and in two events last year as sophomore, Freeman holds the school record in the 200 freestyle. Central ended the week 5-2.

Coach's comments: "Grace is so versatile. She has the ability to be a state qualifier in every swimming event there is. She has the attitude to never give up and that attitude has really helped her. She's very commited and definitely an asset to the team, not only her swimming, but her mental attitude."