Central sophomore rides records to top of contenders' list

Athletes from Central, Jackson, Notre Dame and Perryville will make the trip to compete in the two-day Class 3 and 4 state track meet today in Jefferson City.

The Tigers will bring the area's largest contingent with 17 athletes competing, not including alternates. Cody Beaton is coming off a sectional win in the high jump, and Jennifer Pancoast and Vicki Wilson will compete in multiple events.

Pancoast is red-hot after a sectional performance in which she broke both the 800 and 1,600 school records.

"It was a really good meet," Pancoast said. "It's my best times so far. I guess I'm peaking right now."

Pancoast's times put her as one of the favorites in Class 4. Her record 5:01.41 in the 1,600 would have won the state title last year.

"Any of the girls behind me have a chance," Pancoast said.

Pancoast also has a shot at a title in the 3,200 relay along with relay teammates Alex Wieser, Linnea Woldtvedt and Holly Schaffer, who equaled their season best time of 9:40 in the sectional. Central was fifth in that event last year.

Jackson will be led by triple jump sectional winner Heather West, the top returning triple jumper in Class 4 after finishing fourth in the state last year. West also will compete in the long jump.

James Fortner will compete after he won the 300 intermediate hurdles at the sectional meet.

In Class 3, Notre Dame will bring a small group led by sprinter Adam Prasanphanich, who finished fourth in the 100 in the Class 2 meet last year.

Perryville is led by Emily Amberger in the 200 and 400. Amberger also will compete on the 800 and 1,600 relay teams. Kyle Dobbelare, last year's state champion in the long jump, will compete in the 300 intermediate hurdles.

Central duo will compete today for state tennis title

Central's doubles team of Heath Orr and Will Ramsey will compete in the Class 2 state tennis tournament today and Saturday in Springfield.

Orr and Ramsey qualified by finishing second in the district tournament earlier this month.

jjoffray@semissourian.com

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