Tiger netters head to district

~ Central will compete Thursday at Lindbergh.

The Central boys tennis team was shut out at last year's district tournament, failing to qualify in singles, doubles and the team category.

The Tigers could be headed for a similar fate this season with a tough road ahead of them at the Class 4 District 1 tournament Thursday at Lindbergh High School, but the future looks bright for coach Bud Craven and his squad.

The Tigers have just two seniors competing at the district tournament.

Craven said while Central may not have any state qualifiers this year, he believes that trend will soon change.

"The next two years I do," Craven said. "It will be much better, but we've had an excellent season. I couldn't be much happier with our record right now."

Juniors Robert Weir and Will LaFoe will play singles at district for Central. In doubles, the Tigers will have senior Carson Kelley and junior Alex Kies on one team, with senior David Deisher and sophomore David Berry on the other.

Despite shuffling their doubles teams and losing one of their top players for much of the season due to injury, the Tigers still managed a 10-2 dual record.

"I'm really excited for this team. I'm optimistic," Craven said. "I think I'm going to have a great team, especially when these sophomores are seniors."

The top two singles and doubles qualify for the state tournament. Last year, Central's top finish was posted by Kevin Rohatgi, who finished third in singles.

Central finished third in the team standings last year, with Lindbergh and Rockwood Summit advancing to the sectional round.

A new rules this year will send the top four district finishers into a bracket to determine the two sectional bids. The district winner plays the fourth-place team, and the No. 2 team plays the No. 3 team for the two sectional berths.

Panthers pair commits

Meadow Heights seniors Anthony Bollinger and Heath Fulton will sign this week to play basketball at Florissant Valley.

Bollinger and Fulton both averaged in double figures for the high-scoring Panthers.

Bell City graduate Eric Henry recently finished his sophomore season with the Norsemen.

Double threat

The Saxony Lutheran baseball team has to share one of its top pitchers with the track team.

But Max Wieser would like nothing better than to be part of two district champions this month.

Wieser threw a five-inning no-hitter on April 29 in the Crusaders' 18-0 victory against Woodland, but he's probably better known for his efforts with the track team. A middle distance runner, Wieser will play a key role if the Crusaders climb from their fifth-place showing in last year's Class 1 state track meet.

"Max is an excellent baseball player, and he's become such an integral part of three of four relay teams that we've had him in practice more recently," Saxony track coach Larry Cleair said. "Before, when he was done with baseball practice, he would do some running for us. Fortunately, the baseball district doesn't interfere with the state track meet."

Delta senior signs

Zeke Seabaugh, a Delta senior, has signed a letter of intent to compete in bullriding for the rodeo team at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Mo.

College notes

• Jackson graduate Ty Atchison leads the nation in all-around points for the Tennessee-Martin rodeo team. Martin's men's team was the top-ranked team in the nation heading into its final meet of the season. Also on the squad is Delta graduate Brent Menz.