Track team takes third at Murphysboro invite

MURPHYSBORO, Ill. -- The Sikeston boys and girls track teams competed in the Murphysboro Invitational Track Meet on Saturday.

The boys team finished in third place out of 14 teams while the girls team took eighth place out of 11 teams.

"Considering that we've had very little practice time because of the weather, I was very pleased on the boys side, especially with the level of competition," said Sikeston head track coach Jerry Dement. "It was a very strong early season meet with top-notch teams in it. I thought we competed very well. We're still a long way from being where we want to be. The girls have a longer way to go but they if they continue to work hard and progress like we think, then they are pretty good by the end of the year."

East St. Louis won the boys side with 125 teams points followed by Poplar Bluff with 92 points and Sikeston with 77 points.

Competitors needed to place in the top six to qualify for team points.

The Bulldogs placed in 13 different events with Andrew Lambert having the top day. The senior took second in the high jump (6'2"), third in the long jump (21'1 1/2") and fourth in the triple jump (42'8").

Seniors Kevin Keller and Justin Lowes and juniors Keena Hatcher and Michael Colon each placed in two events.

"Andrew Lambert had a good day," said Dement. "He placed high in all three of his jumps. I thought our relays ran strong. I thought Devante Larry ran really good in the 300 hurdles. Kevin Keller threw okay in the shot put, he's going to be fine there."

On the girls side, sophomore Rachael Vining placed in four different events. She took fourth in both the long jump (15'8 3/4") and the 300 meter hurdles, and sixth in both the triple jump (30'9") and the 100 meter hurdles (16.7).

The 4 x 100 meter relay team of Latavia Flye, Bethany Clayton, Latazia Barnhill and Tyrese Wims took fourth place with a time of 55.1 and the 4 x 200 meter relay team of Flye, Clayton, Deshya Burrell and Victoria Hill took fourth.

"Rachael had a solid meet and I thought our relays ran well," said Dement. "I just think we're going to be okay before it's over with."

Sikeston will host Dexter for a dual meet tomorrow at 4 p.m.

On Friday, the girls team will compete in the East Prairie Invitational. On Saturday, the boys team will compete in the Jackson Invitational.