Track season should heat up Saturday with Cape Relays

Temperatures are starting to heat up in Southeast Missouri, which should lead to improved performances Saturday at the annual Cape Relays at the Abe Stuber Track Complex.

Early forecasts call for a high of 77 degrees on Saturday, a change of pace from the cool temperatures which have greeted earl-season track meets.

"I'm hoping that happens," Central coach Lawrence Brookins said of the warmer temperatures. "Every other year you fight that [bad weather]. It happens to everybody."

The meet is scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m., with running events to start about 10:30. Awards will be presented at the end of the meet for the top boys and girls field athlete, and the top boys and girls track athlete.

Unique events such as the sprint and distance medley relays will once again be featured. The sprint medley consists of two 100 legs, a 200 and a 400. The distance medley is legs of 400, 800, 1,200 and 1,600.

Central's girls are coming off a sweep of the relays at the Jackson Invitational on April 8. The Tigers are led by anchor Nicole Jackson, a second-place finisher in the 200 at the state meet last year.

On the boys side, the Tigers will be among the favorites in the sprint relays. Central was all-state in the 400 relay last season.

Notre Dame should be one of the favorites in the distance relays. The Bulldogs, Class 2 cross country champions in the fall, have been strong in the 1,600 and 3,200 relays once again this season.

Jackson is led by sprinter Rachel Kahle, all-state in the 100 last year. Kahle has also excelled in the triple jump this season.

The meet will have about 10 teams, possibly more, with Poplar Bluff and Sikeston among those expected to compete.

Kuper signs with SIU

All-state swimmer Jameson Kuper, a senior at Notre Dame, has signed with Southern Illinois University to swim for the Salukis next year.

Kuper finished second in the 200 freestyle and third in the 100 breaststroke at the state meet his senior season. It was the second straight year Kuper had earned two state medals, as he finished seventh in the 200 free and third in the 100 breast as a junior. In all, Kuper earned five state medals in three years of swimming for Notre Dame.

The Salukis will join the Sunbelt Conference in men's swimming and diving next season after swimming the past three years as an independent. Last season SIU finished the season ranked No. 5 in nation in the collegeswimming.com Mid-Major poll.

All-SCAA basketball teams

Bell City junior Will Bogan earned player of the year honors in the Stoddard County Activities Association.

Bogan was one of three Cubs to earn all-SCAA honors. Nick Niemczyk and Jeff Liggins joined Bogan on the 12-player list. Bell City finished undefeated in conference play and won the SCAA conference tournament.

The Cubs finished runner-up in Class 1. Liggins, a senior, was named the conference defender of the year.

Advance, which made its first appearance in the state final four since 1975, had two players on the all-SCAA team. Leading scorer Alex Steil, a junior, and senior guard Daryl Wade each made the team.

The Hornets finished third in Class 2. Advance coach Joe Shoemaker was named coach of the year.

Red Devil Classic

The eight-team Chaffee Red Devils Baseball Classic will begin Friday at Chaffee.

Three first-round games will be played at Chaffee on Friday, with a game between Scott City and Bell City to be played at Scott City. Other opening-round matchups include Perryville versus Egyptian (Ill.), Chaffee versus Saxony Lutheran and Shawnee (Ill.) versus New Madrid County Central.

The championship game is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Saturday at Chaffee.