Stoverink to head Jackson track teams

Jackson High School didn't have to look far to find its new head track and field coach.

Jimmy Stoverink, a 1989 Jackson graduate who has served as the program's assistant head coach since the 2007-08 school year, was announced on Wednesday as Steve Wachter's replacement.

Wachter, who retired in late May, will remain with the program as an assistant.

"Back in high school, I would have probably said this is my dream job. It still is," Stoverink said.

Stoverink, a 1993 Southeast Missouri State graduate who earned his Master's degree in 2001 from Webster University, is also Jackson's assistant cross country coach.

Stoverink, who began teaching and coaching in the Jackson School District in 2004, has also been a coach at St. Vincent, Chaffee, Advance and Pacific high schools.

"I think it'll be an easy, smooth transition. He [Wachter] is going to stay on as an assistant coach so we're just changing places," Stoverink said. "We get good athletes. We've got some really good athletes coming back. I don't anticipate anything really changing. The day-to day-stuff is going to stay the same."

All-state baseball

Ten players from the Southeast Missourian coverage area were recently selected to the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association all-state teams as voted on by member coaches.

Class 1 state champion Oran tops the list with three first-team all-staters in senior Kody Moore, senior Alex Heuring and junior Seth Ressel.

Moore, who pitched and played shortstop for the Eagles, was chosen as a DH/utility player. Heuring is a catcher and Ressel was tabbed as a pitcher.

Notre Dame, which lost a hard-fought Class 4 quarterfinal game to eventual state champion Westminster Christian, had two all-staters.

Senior Justin Landewee was a first-team choice at pitcher. He played shortstop when not on the mound. Senior catcher Chase Simmons earned second-team accolades.

Scott City seniors Ryan Fortner and Brett Dirnberger both made the Class 3 first team after leading the Rams to a district title. Fortner was chosen as a catcher and Dirnberger as an outfielder.

Chaffee also had two all-staters after the Red Devils advanced to the Class 2 quarterfinals. Senior shortstop Jared Walker made the first team as an infielder while junior Cody Payne was given a second-team nod at pitcher.

Saxony Lutheran senior catcher Gabe Bohnert earned second-team honors in Class 2.