Central sweeps district

The Central cross country team won the boys and girls titles in the Class 4 District 1 meet Saturday at Jackson City Park.

Both of Central's squads along with the Jackson girls, who finished third, will head to the sectional meet Saturday at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis. The top four teams in the nine-team field and top 30 runners advanced.

"Coming in, the kids new they had a shot to win both races, so that was definitely the goal," Tigers coach Mark Hahn said. "I kind of thought we could get every individual to make it [in the top 30]. I didn't know they would run as well as they did today."

Central's Linnea Woldtvedt won the girls race in 19 minutes, 48 seconds. Brittany Moreland was second in 20:21 and Veronica Schabbing was ninth in 21:26.

John Kipper led Central's boys squad with a second-place finish at 16:34. Dan Austin was seventh in 17:13 and Tyler Yeargain was ninth in 17:26.

The victories marked the fifth straight district title for the girls and the first district title for the Tigers in more than 10 years.

"We were fortunate this year," Hahn said. "We picked up a couple boys this year that were surprises, and the team has gelled as a team as much or more as any team I've ever coached. They understand the team concept in running and what little things you can do in a race."

For Jackson, Amy Sterling finished third and Beth Barton sixth to lead the girls.

Freshman Greg Gibson and senior David Welker were sectional qualifiers for the Indians, who finished sixth.

ResuLts

GIRLS

Team scores -- 1. Central 37, 2. Lindbergh 45, 3. Jackson 65, 4. Fox 85, 5. Seckman 99; 6. Poplar Bluff 188; 7. Northwest 189; 8. Oakville, Mehlville (NS).

Central -- 1. Linnea Woldtvedt 19:48; 2. Brittany Moreland 20:21; 9. Veronica Schabbing 21:26; 12. Allison Dohogne 21:46; 13. Jessie Hahn 21:46; 21. Liz Alberson 22:15; 29. Gina Yarbrough 23:07

Jackson -- 3. Amy Sterling, 20:33; 6. Beth Barton, 21:15; 18. Casey Hatton, 22:06; 19. Nicole Parrish 22:10; 22. Mandy Craven 22:20; 38. Brytney Masters 23:47; 49. Ashley Ptacek 25:18.

BOYS

Team scores -- 1. Central 54, 2. Fox 58, 3. Northwest 63, 4. Lindbergh 78, 5. Mehlville 150; 6. Jackson 169; 7. Seckman 176; 8. Oakville 181; 9. Poplar Bluff (NS).

Central -- 2. John Kipper 16:34; 7. Dan Austin 17:13; 9. Tyler Yeargain 17:26; 20. Bryan Schott 17:58; 23. Dale Brannock 18:09; 24. Eddie Glenn 18:15; 28. Shawn Owens 18:26

Jackson -- 6. Greg Gibson, 17:09; 21. David Welker 17:58; 44. Caleb Statler 19:46; 53. Cody Green 20:37; 54. Ira Ping 20:40; 55. David Law 20:41; 57. Joe B. Miller 21:15.