TIGERS PERFECT IN SEMO MEET

POPLAR BLUFF -- Cape Central's boys posted a perfect 15 on its way to the SEMO Conference Cross Country Invitational title Thursday at Ozark Ridge Municipal Golf Course.

Jackson won the girls' varsity race as Cape Central finished runner-up.

But it was the Central boys that gained the limelight with the only 1-2-3-4-5 varsity finish in meet history. In fact, led by Jonathan Anderson's first-place finish, the Tigers accounted for seven of the 10 all-conference spots.

Kelly finished second with 54 points, followed by Jackson (78) and Poplar Bluff (103).

It was Central's second victory of the season, the first coming two weeks ago at the Carbondale Invitational.

"We felt we'd compete real well in all four races and we did," said Cape Central coach Mark Hahn. "We didn't expect to get the lowest possible score in the boys race. It's never been done and it might be a long time before it happens again on the varsity level."

The boys varsity course was supposed to be 3.1 miles long, but due to an error was probably closer to four miles.

Anderson won a duel to the finish with teammate Mark Stone. Both runners were timed in 21:24, but Anderson was awarded first. The next three finishers were David Stahr (21:49), Jeff Haycraft (21:56) and Justin Hawkins (21:57). Central's Matt Hawkins (22:38) Gabe Austin (22:44) were also all-conference, finishing ninth and 10th respectively.

"We knew they were going to be strong," said Jackson coach Jim Stoverink. "The only person that could possibly run with them was Kelly. Cape just ran exceptionally well."

However, Stoverink didn't expect Cape to sweep.

"I thought Kelly would have somebody in there that could break them up."

Jackson finished with 26 points to win the girls race. Central was second with 35, while Poplar Bluff (69) was third and Kelly (109) fourth.

The win was Jackson's third in a row after victories at Carbondale (Ill.) and Marshall County (Ky.).

"Our girls are running real well," said Stoverink. "We're still hoping to move our No. 5 girl a little closer."

All five of Jackson's scoring runners were all-conference: Amanda Beussink (3rd, 19:24), Julie Wunderlich (4th, 19:35), Sarah Stiegemeyer (5th, 19:59), Jennifer Brown (6th, 20:04) and Sarah Strack (8th, 20:50).

Cape Central had four all-conference runners, including a 1-2 finish by Myka Bohnsack and Brittany Ballard (18:56). Bohnsack crossed the finish line in 18:45. Leanne Lee (7th, 20:26) and Rachele Sprigg (9th, 20:51) were also all-conference.

"We're very proud," said Hahn. "There were 40 all-conference positions available and we were able to speak for 22 of them."

In JV boys, Central, paced by a 1-2 finish by Elliot Swoboda and Ross Tilghman, won with 23 points. Six Tigers medaled.

Jackson won the JV girls race with 28 points as Christy Thoma and Jessica Craft finished 1-2.

Boys' soccer

Jackson 4, Cape Central 0

JACKSON -- Cape Central has not figured out how to stop Nathan Windeknecht yet.

Windeknecht scored his third hat trick in three games against the Tigers this season in a 4-0 win Thursday at Jackson.

"That's three games against us and three goals in each game," Central coach Tom Doyle said. "So he's a pretty big factor."

Windeknecht was knocked out of the game late in the second half when a hard shot from a teammate hit him in the head. He will play Saturday, when the Indians host Belleville West at 11 a.m.

Spencer Knowlan scored first for Jackson (14-4-2). Chris Kohm, Tyler Stearns and Raju Dirnberger had assists for the Indians, and Paul Johns recorded his eighth shutout of the season, one shy of the school record.

Central dropped to 8-12-2.

Notre Dame 4, Marion (Ill.) 0

MARION, Ill. -- Zach Miller and Adam Obermiller both deposited two goals as Notre Dame cruised to victory.

Miller scored the first goal early on and Obermiller upped the score to 2-0 by halftime.

Miller, Wesley Steele, Mark Buhrle and Cory Eftink had assists for Notre Dame (13-2-3).

Colin Vandegraf recorded the shutout.

Tim Buerck scored as Notre Dame won a darkness-shortened JV contest 1-0.

Results in Scoreboard on Page 2B.

Volleyball

Cape Central 15-15, Oran 9-8

ORAN -- Central won its second match in a row with a win at Oran. Amber Birk led the Tigers with five aces.

Jessica Balogh had eight kills and Katie Cozby had six for the Tigers.

Meadow Heights Tournament

Top-seeded Leopold and fifth-seeded St. Vincent arranged a semifinal showdown tonight with straight-set victories in the opening round.

Leopold blistered No. 8 seed Charleston 15-0, 15-2. Gwen Vandeven had seven kills for Leopold (14-6-1) while Megan Keith had nine assists.

St. Vincent slipped past No. 4 Zalma 16-14, 15-11.

Jessica Lakenan had 12 kills and Kaci Kuntz added nine service points and four kills for St. Vincent (7-12-4).

No further tournament results were available at press time.