Coaching, playing stretches lacrosse schedule for Kimtz

At 22 and already a veteran in his sport, Graig Kimtz is focusing his time on two tasks right now.

First, Kimtz is involved with helping the Southeast Missouri State University lacrosse club get its feet wet in its first year of being recognized in an organized division. Second, Kimtz is donating time to a first-year high school team organized by students at Central High School.

Growing up in Manchester, Mo., in an metropolitan area where lacrosse is rapidly growing, the switch to Cape Girardeau presented a different scenario. Kimtz began playing more seriously in high school, where he played all four years for DeSmet. His team won the state championship all four of his years in high school.

"We had a pretty good team," Kimtz said. "The coach was good."

After arriving in Cape Girardeau, he teamed up with Andy Mudd, the founder of the club, and began working to get people interested in lacrosse.

The program has grown large enough to participate in the Great Rivers Lacrosse Club, a conference with other Missouri teams like University of Missouri-Rolla, Southwest Missouri State University and University of Missouri-Columbia. In its first organized year of participation, the team is 1-1.

"Andy really got things started," Kimtz said. "I was just really interested, so I helped him out."

The conference consists of two divisions. There are six teams in division A, while Southeast competes in the 16-team division B. After the regular season, the divisions will square off in the postseason with the championships at Lindenwood University in St. Louis during mid-May.

"It isn't too competitive. We go out there and have fun," Kimtz said. "We all have to pay, so we might as well have fun while doing it."

The cost to get involved is usually about $250 for all the equipment, including a helmet, gloves, shoulder pads and elbow pads.

Kimtz is optimistic about the sports' growth, especially on the East Coast.

"Coaches out there like to take players from the Midwest because we still have a lot to learn," he explained. "Those guys play lacrosse like we play soccer. There's nothing else for them to learn once they get in college, so the coaches work with us."

On second thought, he realizes the true reason why the sport is becoming so popular.

"Who wants to watch baseball?" he said, laughing.

Kimtz said he's enjoyed his time at Southeast and plans to stay here until he graduates while helping coach the Tigers' squad in the meantime.

"It is a learning year," Kimtz said of the first-year team. "But it will stick. Every day there are more people showing up."

After college, Kimtz says he will go back to St. Louis and hopefully join leagues for older men. He may also just play in his spare time for fun.

"Either way," he said, "I'll always play the game."

Scorpions top Outlaws for a win on the road

The Kohlfeld Scorpion Rugby team defeated the Columbia Outlaws in Columbia, Mo., 22-12 on Saturday.

A defensive first-half battle was finally broken late in the half with a Scorpion goal by John Cruetz. The Outlaws answered with a goal of their own before the half expired.

Columbia came off the break in a hurry and put in an early goal to take a lead, but the Scorpions came back with three unanswered goals in the second half to secure the victory. Jimmy Randle, Ben Schwab and Freddy Escobar were the other scorers for the Scorpions.

Kohlfeld plays again Saturday at Arena Park against nationally ranked Truman State.

Gators finish strong in central sectional meet

The Cape Gators swim team came up with a strong performance on the third night of the Central Sectional Championships.

Jameson Kuper got the momentum going by finishing 15th in the 200 breaststroke. Kuper qualified for the B final and finished his individual events by swimming to his first team points at the sectional level.

Steffan Troxel also finished strong with his second scoring effort of the meet by finishing 13th in the 500 freestyle.

In preliminary action, Ashley Tellor swam a personal-best 2:31.9 in the 200 breaststroke, good enough to better her seed by 17 positions. David Welker swam a personal best in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:00.44.