CROSS COUNTRY: RUNNERS APPROACH DISTRICTS, SECTIONALS

High school cross country teams across Missouri will make the final push toward state today when Classes 1A through 3A hold district meets and Class 4A holds sectional competition.

Cape Girardeau Central and Jackson will both be involved in the 4A sectional at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis after faring well during district competition last weekend at the Jackson City Park.

Central was second in the boys district meet and third in the girls race while Jackson won the girls competition. All three squads earned berths in the sectional by virtue of finishing among the top four teams in the district.

In order to qualify for state as a team, 4A squads must finish in the top four in today's sectionals. Individually, for teams that don't qualify, the top 30 from sectionals advance to state.

Meanwhile, 1A, 2A and 3A teams will actually be starting their postseason today as no sectional competition is required to advance to state.

From the various districts, the top two teams and top 15 individuals not on those squads qualify for the state meet.

Notre Dame and Kelly will be the local squads in the 2A, District 1 Meet at Jefferson Barracks. Eleven teams will compete.

Perryville will take part in the 3A, District 1 Meet in Potosi, Mo. Sikeston will also participate, along with seven other teams.

In 1A, Oak Ridge will be part of the nine-team District 1 Meet at Spanish Lake in the St. Louis area while Advance will participate in the 10-team District 5 Meet in Mountain View, Mo.

The state meets for all four classes will be held Nov. 4 in Jefferson City.