STATE CROSS COUNTRY: RUNNING TO THE TOP; AREA RUNNERS LACE 'EM UP, HEAD FOR JEFF CITY

Sarah Fletcher, who earned all-state commendation in 1993 and 1994, may soon have company in the annals of Cape Girardeau Central High cross country history. Possibly twice over.

Fletcher is the only Central girl to don a state-meet medal. But if the race Saturday morning at Oak Hills Golf Center in Jefferson City plays out as Central coach Mark Hahn foresees it, Brittany Ballard and Myka Bohnsack will join Fletcher as the school's most decorated harriers.

"Both of them have a chance to earn all-state honors," Hahn said. "But it's been my experience at state that it's so different and it's so hard to predict those things. But it wouldn't surprise me if they approached the top 10."

Ballard, who is just a freshman, placed third in the Sectional 1 meet last weekend, one spot ahead of defending state champion Sarah Haskins. And Bohnsack, a senior, finished one slot behind in fifth place.

Bohnsack competed in the state meet last season. But Ballard's lack of experience may not be a detriment, Hahn said.

"It might surprise you," he said. "The history of the state race has shown that there have been a lot of freshmen that have been very successful."

Central's entire girls team qualified for the state race for the first time. In addition to Ballard and Bohnsack, Rachel Sprigg, Leanne Lee and Elizabeth Meyr were Central's five scoring runners in the sectional race. Hahn isn't sure what to expect from the team.

"It's hard to have any real expectations from my perspective because it's not like we go there every year and we know how we usually do," he said. "We're not thinking expectation-wise. We're just going to run and have fun and see what happens."

Hahn said he expects West Plains and Kirkwood to battle for the state team title.

Four Jackson girls will also compete in the state race, which is scheduled for 10:30. Julie Wunderlich, Sarah Stiegemeyer and Jennifer Brown placed 12th, 13th and 14th, respectively, in the sectional race.

"We're going to have to run pretty good to get in the top 25," said Jackson coach Jim Stoverink. "They're going to have to run better than they have all year. If they got in the top 50 it would be a good race for them."

Jackson's Sarah Schlick, who placed 26th in the sectional meet, will also compete.

Three Central boys will run in the meet, which is set for 11:45. Mark Stone likely will lead the Tigers, with David Stahr and Justin Hawkins following.

Class 3A

Perryville coach Dean Lewis said three of his six state meet qualifiers "have a legitimate shot" at placing among the top 25 and receiving a medal.

Nathan Davis has been Perryville's top runner all season. Lewis expects Davis and Jared Tanz, both of whom have state meet experience, to earn a medal, along with Jen Hadler, who placed 39th in the state race last season.

Perryville's other participants are Nathan Moore, Renee Schlichting and Andrea Weibrecht.

Class 2A

Two Notre Dame harriers, Susan Judd and Rick Smith, will compete in a Class 2A race that will feature a much different look from last year's.

Judd, a sophomore, placed 24th in the state race last season. But that race encompassed Classes 1A and 2A; this season separate races will be held. In addition, several teams that were classified as Class 3A, including powerhouse Lutheran South, were dropped one class this season.

In short, Notre Dame coach Wayne Nenninger's crystal ball revealed no definitive forecast.

"I know she (Susan) hopes she will be within that top 25," he said. "And I'm hoping Rick will also qualify within that top 25. His peak was in the district. That was his fastest time and he looked really, really good."

Kelly's boys team, which captured the state title in 1996, looks to place at least among the top six. Coach Bill Davis said a top performance could lift them as high as third, behind favorites Lutheran South and Willow Springs.

"South whipped us pretty good at districts," Davis said. "But things can happen; kids can run with their hearts."

Nathen King, who placed sixth in the state last season, should pace the Hawks and place among the elite. Luke Choate has also run well of late, and Daniel Mothershead, freshman Ashley Hahn and Jamie Essner round out the team's top five.

Kelly's girls team won the state meet last season but did not qualify this year. But Jenny Riley and April Cousins advanced individually.

The girls race is set for 12:45 and the boys race will be held at 2:05.

Class 1A

Two Advance runners, Ross McFerron and Chad Johnson, fared well in the District 5 meet and advanced to the state race.

McFerron placed third last weekend and Johnson followed in sixth.