Groves leads way to state

Scott City's Loren Groves won all four events she competed in Monday at the Class 2, District 1 track and field meet in East Prairie, which was originally scheduled for Saturday.

Groves shook off a rolled ankle to win the 100 (15.81) and 300 hurdles (49.03) and easily outdistanced the field in the shot put (35-51/2) and discus (130-5). Scott City's Angie Laxton qualified for the state meet in two events, winning the 3,200 (13:29) and finishing second in the 1,600 (6:05). The Rams 3,200 relay team of Christy Laxton, Kacie Cartwright, Alisha Obermann and Jenny Pinkston won with a 10:44.

Scott City also got second-place finishes from Cartwright in the 400 (1:03.08) and Christy Laxton in the 800 (2:39).

The top two finishers in each event qualify for the state meet, which will be held Friday and Saturday at Jefferson City. Valle edged Scott City's girls in the team standings.

On the boys' side, two local athletes qualified for the state tournament: Kelly's Nathan Lewer won the high jump (6-4) and Scott City's Joe Brunner finished second in the 200 (23.84).

GIRLS SOCCER Class 3, District 1

Notre Dame defeated Sikeston 5-0 in the semifinals of the Class 3, District 1 girls soccer tournament at Notre Dame High School.

The Bulldogs got two goals from Lauren Mehner and one apiece from Amanda Dirnberger, Meagan Holloway and Sierra Ellis.

Allison Essner, Kristen Boos, Jesse Westrich, Emily Essner and Dirnberger each finished with an assist.

Katie Palmer had to make just one save as Notre Dame kept Farmington bottled in its own end.

Notre Dame will play St. Vincent, who beat Perryville 3-0 to advance to Wednesday's 7 p.m. championship game. It is the first district championship appearance for both teams.

Class 4, District 1

Jackson had no troubles advancing to the Class 4, District 1 championship game, defeating Farmington 11-1.

Elizabeth Neussbaum had two goals and two assists. Molly Hartmann and Lucy Hartmann each had two goals and an assist. Emily Curtis had two goals as well. Trina Lang, Ashley Bartles, and Whitney Dietl each had one goal. Rebecca Richbourg, Courtney Urhahn, and Katie Domian each had one assist.

Farmington had just one shot on net and Jackson's defense allowed just its eighth goal of the season. The 11-1 route was the identical score from the regular season meeting between the two teams.

Jackson will face Central Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Farmington for the district championship.

Central advanced to the district final with a 2-1 win over Poplar Bluff. The Tigers (14-9) got a goal from Chelsey Oliver one minute in to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Central went up 2-0 in the 57th minute off a goal from Mallory Wilson. Stephanie White assisted on the goal. Megan Kistner made six saves in goal for Central.

GOLF

Jackson finished with a team score of 323 after the first day of the Class 4 state golf championships at Rivercutt Golf Course in Springfield, Mo.

The Indians tied for 11th, 18 strokes behind front-runner Chaminade. Chad Reiminger led Jackson with a 76 and is tied for 19th individually. Eric Fraley and Matt Litzelfelner each added 79s and Gabe Sauer (89) rounded out Jackson's team score.

Central junior Todd Obergoenner was tied with Reiminger at 76 in the individual competition. Central freshman Blake Driskell shot an 83.

In the Class 3 competition at Silo Ridge Golf Course in Bolivar, Mo., Dexter is in 12th place after the first day. The Bearcats shot a 336 total, 21 strokes behind Carthage. Tyler Holden led Dexter with an 82. In the Class 2 meet at the Bill and Payne Stewart Golf Course in Springfield, St. Vincent's Joel Carron shot an opening-round 85.

-- From staff reports