Relay squads take success to sectionals

~ Area teams will have 15 relay teams in today's meets.

Choosing the right components to form a winning relay team requires much more than simply finding the four fastest runners for a given event.

Finding the proper running order, evaluating each runner's particular strengths and establishing smooth handoffs are keys to creating a fast relay squad.

Area coaches seem to be tapping into a successful formula this season, with 15 relay teams among Central, Jackson, Perryville and Notre Dame in action today in the sectional meets for classes 3 and 4.

Central and Jackson will compete in a Class 4 sectional at Farmington, while Notre Dame and Perryville will compete in a Class 3 sectional at North County in Bonne Terre, Mo. The top four finishers at the sectional meet will qualify for the state meet May 26 and 27 in Jefferson City. There is no team scoring at the meets.

"There's a little strategy where you run them in what positions," Perryville coach Lance Bell said. "Some kids run better starting out. Some kids run better in lanes, and some run better when they run next to someone. I like to start out with an experienced kid. Then you need someone really competitive who's going to anchor."

The Tigers lead the four area sectional teams with seven relay teams competing today, including all four girls relays. Central's girls have swept the relay events in numerous meets this season, and returned most of the runners from the three relay squads that qualified for the state meet last year.

All-state sprinter Nicole Jackson, younger sister Roxanne Jackson, Nadia Cox and Dani Gross run on both the 400 and 800 relays. In all, only three of Central's relay members are seniors.

"The girls have been real consistent," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said. "They too have proven they're as deep as they've been in all the relays. I'm excited about next year as much as this weekend."

On the boys side, the Tigers have had to use their depth to fill in due to injuries in their sprint relays. Hykeem Hammonds and Tyler Terry have been the two constants throughout the season, as Central tries to earn all-state honors in the 400 relay for the second straight year.

Perryville qualified all four of its boys relay teams to the sectional meet. Last year, the Pirates were all-state by finishing in the top eight in the 400, 1,600 and 3,200 relays, including a fourth-place finish in the 3,200 relay.

Bell said his squad should have a good chance at state success in both distance relays once again.

"Personally the 4-by-4 is my favorite event," Bell said. "We've done well the last couple of years in the 4-by-8. We've placed in the top eight in the eight of the last 10 years in the 4-by-8, and four of the last five in the 4-by-4. Those are two events we do pretty well here, and hopefully we can do well again this year."

Jacob Hayden, Kris Cottner and Adam Westmoreland run on three of Perryville's relays.

Also vying for state berths in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays in Class 3 will be Notre Dame. The Bulldogs and Pirates were separated by the slightest of margins in both events at the district meet.

Notre Dame coach Bill Davis said it is important to have kids who want to run on relays.

"First of all, they have to be passionate about the relay," Davis said. "They have to pull for each other. You can't be out there for yourself. We've had good kids, and they usually have become close. Through the early practices you get the feel for who has the guts, determination and the passion."

Seniors Jason Delgado and Matt Pfau compete on both relays for the Bulldogs. Delgado has been on the 3,200 relay all four years, and this is Pfau's third year running in the event. Notre Dame was all-state in the 3,200 relay the last two years. Pfau, all-state in cross country in the fall, anchors both relays.

Notre Dame's 1,600 relay has something to prove this year after a stroke of bad luck prevented them from qualifying for the state meet last year. Pfau lost the baton just before the finish line at the sectional meet last year and the team was disqualified.

"I think they're really focused about doing something about that this year," Davis said.

Despite not having the services of all-state sprinter Rachel Kahle on its relays this season, Jackson's girls still were able to qualify two relays to the sectional. The Indians will compete in the 400 and 1,600 relays.

Kahle is the only area individual to qualify in four events. Besides the 100, where Kahle finished eighth at the state meet last year, Kahle will also compete in the 200, triple jump and long jump.

Indians teammate Heather Hileman will compete in three events. Also competing in three individual events will be Perryville junior Brittney Castleberry and Notre Dame sophomore Mark Zimmer.

Sectional qualifiers

Class 3

Boys

Perryville -- Jesse Kueker (3,200 relay, 1,600 relay); Ryan Regelsperger (pole vault, 3,200 relay); Jacob Hayden (3,200 relay, 1,600 relay, 800 relay); Kyle Bert (3,200 relay); Brandon Kennon (400 relay, 800 relay); Adam Westmoreland (400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay); Kris Cottner (400 relay, 800 relay, 1,600 relay); Ryan Lorenz (400 relay); Josh Hayden (110 hurdles, 300 hurdles); Tyler Bauwens (shot put, discus)

Notre Dame -- John Unterreiner (3,200 relay); Jason Delgado (3,200 relay, 1,600 relay); Neil Kanneberg (3,200 relay); Matt Pfau (3,200 relay, 1,600 relay); Mark Zimmer (100, 200, 400, 1,600 relay); Blake Kirkpatrick (1,600 relay)

Girls

Perryville -- Brittney Castleberry (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, 100); Kelsey Dobbelare (100 hurdles); Leslie Schilli (1,600, 3,200)

Class 4

Boys

Central -- James Mowery (100, 800 relay); Chase Johnson (800, 3,200 relay); John Kipper (3,200); Derris Gerlach (300 hurdles); Tyler Terry (long jump, triple jump, 400 relay, 800 relay); Matt Willingham (pole vault); Hykeem Hammonds (400 relay, 800 relay); Kadeem Hammonds (400 relay), Anwar Glenn (400 relay, 800 relay); Beau Jordan (3,200 relay); Tyler Yeargain (3,200 relay); Lucion Johnson (3,200 relay)

Jackson -- Greg Gibson (1,600, 3,200); Alex Austin (pole vault); Jacob Bullinger (discus)

Girls

Central -- Nicole Jackson (100, 200, 400 relay, 800 relay); Roxanne Jackson (200, 400 relay, 800 relay); Dani Gross (triple jump, 400 relay, 800 relay); Linnea Woldtvedt (800, 1,600 relay, 3,200 relay); Nadia Cox (400 relay, 800 relay); Brittany Moreland (1,600, 3,200 relay); Veronica Schabbing (3,200), Emma Porter (pole vault); Brianna Egbuka (shot put), Tiffany Mead (400, 1,600 relay); Renee Moreland (1,600 relay); Lisa Langenfeld (1,600 relay, 3,200 relay); Rachel Burchyett (3,200 relay)

Jackson -- Rachel Kahle (100, 200, long jump, triple jump); Amanda Peiffer (shot put, discus, 400 relay); Heather Hileman (100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, high jump); Katelynn James (triple jump, discus); Jordan Cook (400, 400 relay, 1,600 relay); Roxanne Hudak (400 relay, 1,600 relay); Kami Miinch (400 relay; 1,600 relay); Amanda Holshouser (1,600 relay).