CENTRAL'S OWEN FINISHES THIRD AT STATE SWIM MEET

ST. PETERS -- Cape Girardeau Central High junior Mary Beth Owen continued her impressive showings at the Missouri State Swimming Championships Saturday as she picked up another third-place medal.

Owen, who was third in two events at state last year as a sophomore, placed third during Saturday's 500-yard freestyle as she clocked 5:04.11. Lafayette's Jamie Saxe set a state record in the event as she timed 4:57.09.

Owen also finished ninth in the 100 butterfly in a time of 1:01.23. There was also a state record set in that event, by Lafayette's Becca Dawson (56.71).

"Mary Beth was right at her fastest (time of the season) in the 500 free, so I was really pleased with her," said Cape Central coach Dayna Powell. "There really wasn't that team drive for Mary Beth to swim this year, which sometimes takes away from the excitement. But she did well."

Also Saturday, Sara Sprigg wound up 21st in diving among a field of about 40.

The Lady Tigers, who were fifth in last year's state meet, did not finish in the top 16 this season. As expected, Marquette captured the title.

Central tennis falls

ST. LOUIS -- Cape Central ran into a powerful Kirkwood squad and suffered a 5-1 defeat during the first round of the four-team sectional meet held at Chaminade High School.

The Tigers' lone victory came at No. 5 singles as Andrew Eaton defeated Evan Reed 6-2, 6-2.

Six singles and three doubles contests had been scheduled if needed, but the dual match ended after Kirkwood clinched the victory by winning five times.

"Even though our score sounds weak, we went to deuce numerous times," said Cape Central coach Bud Craven. "Kirkwood is just an exceptional team, but I thought we played well."

Cape Central's Mick Metzger and Trevor Blattner will compete in doubles at the state individual tournament next weekend in Springfield. Metzger and Blattner won the doubles title at the recent district meet, in which the Tigers prevailed as a team.

Singles

Daniel Murray (K) def. Paul Miller 6-1, 6-0

Andrew Murray (K) def. Andy Tansil 6-0, 6-0

Tom Miller (K) def. Mick Metzger 6-0, 6-1

Robbit Fischer (K) def. Trevor Blattner 6-3., 6-1

Andrew Eaton (C) def. Evan Reed 6-2, 6-2

Doubles

Murray-Murray (K) def. Metzger-Blattner 6-1, 6-1