CENTRAL TRACK TEAM MUST UPDATE SHIRTS

The Cape Central track program has had a remarkable string of success in the SEMO North Conference.

So much so, Central head track coach Jerry Dement had to check the back of assistant coach Lawrence Brookins' T-shirt -- showing the track program's past accomplishments -- to see how many consecutive times both his boys and girls teams have won the conference championships.

After Friday's four-team conference meet at Abe Stuber Track and Field Complex, the Tigers came away with their fifth straight team title while the Lady Tigers claimed their fourth team crown.

"It's a team effort anytime you win a conference championship," Dement said. "We have some good individuals, but we're a good team because the kids support each other and we're well-rounded."

The Tigers won all four relays to pull away from the rest of the boys field with 109 points. Poplar Bluff's boys took second with 74 points, followed by Jackson with 54 points and Sikeston with 29.

The Lady Tigers won two relays and got balanced production in most every event to win with 112 points. Poplar Bluff's girls were also second with 71 points, followed by Jackson with 65 points and Sikeston with 8.

Dement was thrilled with the depth his team displayed in winning both titles.

"We're pretty balanced," said Dement. "We get points everywhere; that's why we've been successful."

Jackson coach Bob Sink couldn't agree more.

"We competed pretty well in some areas, but not so well in others," Sink said. "You have to have good depth to win our conference."

Winning individual titles for the Tigers were Rory Kipper (1600, 3200), Emmanuel Harris (200 meters), Demitrius Totton (400 meters), Mike Stone (800 meters) and Chris Allen (triple jump). Harris was on three of the four winning relay teams, while Totton and Steven Criddle ran on two.

Central's girls were just as impressive, getting individual titles from Dionna Webb (long jump, 200 meters), Heather Jenkins (shot put), Kristen Tallent (400 meters), Tobie Bittle (800 meters), Myka Bohnsack (3200 meters) and Marisa Uzoaru (triple jump). Bittle, Tallent and Sarah Chaudhari were also on the winning 4x800 and 4x400 teams.

Running the anchor leg of the 4x400, Bittle brought the Lady Tigers back from over 20 meters back to win the final girls event of the day.

"Tobie did that in the state final when she was a sophomore," Dement said with a smile. "She came from about 20 meters back and ran a girl down on the straight-away to win just like today."

Devree Flint won Jackson's only individual boys title in the shot put.

Becky King (high jump) and Sarah Stiegemeyer (1600 meters) won Individual titles for the Lady Indians. Jackson's 4x200 of team of Megan Kuntze, Brandi Majka, Lindsey Walker and Lindsey Meyr also won.

The Lady Indians dropped the baton in the 4x100, which proved costly in the team standings.

"We've had the best 4x100 in the area all year and that cost us second place," said Sink. "That was about an eight-point swing."

Poplar Bluff, which won the 4x100, finished ahead of Jackson by six points in the final standings.