Jackson begins search for basketball coach

Jackson boys basketball coach Mike Kiehne resigned his coaching position late last week.

Kiehne led the Indians to a 22-5 record this season, their highest win total since 1993. He was the head coach at Jackson for three years and posted a record of 45-35 in that time.

Kiehne will continue teaching in the district.

Jackson athletic director Kevin Bohnert said the search for a replacement will begin immediately.

Several concerned parents who would like Kiehne to remain as coach said they intend to apply for a spot on Tuesday's agenda for the Jackson Board of Education meeting.

Central, Jackson ready for SEMO Conference meet

Central and Jackson will head south to Poplar Bluff today for the SEMO Conference track meet, which will act as a final tuneup for the Class 4 district track meet May 15 at Northwest High School.

The event was originally scheduled for Sikeston.

Central's girls are coming in with some momentum after a first-place finish at the Poplar Bluff Invitational last Friday.

Jackson's girls also had a good season and sport a strong one-two punch with its 400 and 800 relay teams.

Jackson freshman Rachel Kahle, who runs in those relays, will try to make some noise in the 100- and 200-meter dashes.

Central counters with its own freshman sprinter, Nicole Jackson, who won both the 100 and 200 races at Poplar Bluff last Friday.

Local swimmers make push for state cuts

The Central and Notre Dame girls swimming teams will try to make some late pushes for state-qualifying times when the schools team up with Poplar Bluff for the second annual Show Me Conference swim meet today at the Central Municipal Pool.

Diving will start about 3:45 p.m. with the swimming events set to begin about 5 p.m.

The Tigers recently qualified their first swimmer for the state meet when Cassie Kipper made the cut in the 200-meter individual medley.

Notre Dame is still looking for its first state cut.

I-55 tournament means a weekend full of soccer

Central will play host to the eight-team I-55 tournament this weekend with 12 games scheduled for today and Saturday.

Central, Jackson, Notre Dame and Poplar Bluff will represent Southeast Missouri, while Bishop DuBourg, Northwest, Parkway West and Lafayette will make the trip south from the St. Louis area.

The Southeast Missouri squads will play three games, each against the St. Louis area schools. Games begin today at 4 p.m.