SHS running to state

~Bulldogs qualify in 11 of 13 sectional events

PERRYVILLE - It was a banner day for the Sikeston Bulldog track and field team at the Class 3, Sectional 1 meet on Saturday in Perryville.

Of the 13 events Sikeston had competing, they had 11 finish in the top four to qualify for the Class 3 State Meet on Friday and Saturday in Jefferson City.

The Bulldogs had four first place finishes on the day as well.

"They handled the pressure situations well," said Sikeston coach Jerry Dement. "If they can do it one more time, we're going to make some major noise up there. It's as good of a day as you can ask for. You never have a perfect day, but this one was about as close as you could get. It's the most we've qualified in recent memory. But it's not as much about the amount you take but the amount and quality."

Qualifying in four different events is junior Felante Larry, who captured first in the long jump (22'1.25"), third in the triple jump (44'11.75"), fourth in the 100 meter dash (11.05) and ran a leg on the second place 4 x 200 meter relay (1:29.86). Larry's triple jump is a personal record.

In the 100 meter dash, Larry and two other runners tied for fourth place and it couldn't be determined who had actually won between the three. Meet directors decided to let the three run the 100 meters over again with the winner moving on.

Larry was able to barely nick the other two at the tape in another neck-and-neck race to qualify.

The Bulldogs also got a first place throw out of senior Andy Croxford in the shot put at 52'5", a personal record.

Senior Quinton Lamb placed first in the 400 meter dash with a personal record time of 50.68 and he took fourth in the 200 meter dash at 22.63. He also ran a leg on the 4 x 200 meter relay.

Junior Tyler Woodson qualified in the 110 meter high hurdles with a second place run of 14.90. He also qualified in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles with a third place time of 40.85. Woodson ran the anchor leg on the first place 4 x 100 meter relay with a time of 43.81.

Junior Thomas Elery placed third in the 200 meter dash with a time of 22.61. He also ran legs on the 4 x 200 and 4 x 100 meter relays.

Sophomore Clay Lincoln qualified for the second year in a row in the 1600 meter run, placing fourth at 4:30.86.

Senior pole vaulter Kirk Butler competed but did not qualify, placing sixth in the event. Apollo Patterson placed sixth in the long jump. But he did qualify in the 4 x 100 relay by running the third leg.

"All we ask our kids to do is the best they possibly can," said Dement. "If it's good enough, they can get through. A lot of the guys not only exceeded my expectations, but their expectations. We're extremely pleased with that. It's the best sectional in the state along with Kansas City. But top to bottom, event by event, this is by far the toughest --

district and sectional. That kind of competition helps us prepare for the state meet."

Also running on the 4 x 200 and 4 x 100 meter relays is Brandon Williams.

"My assistants have done a real good job," said Dement. "We got something through in everybody's event. We got hurdlers, jumpers, throwers, distance -- just a pretty good cross-section of the whole team. And that's a tribute to my assistants."

Both qualifying relays had their best times of the year.

On the girls side, Paige Kaiser qualified for the second year in a row in the pole vault with a fourth place leap of 9'0". Sophomore Traci Jackson qualified for the first time in the 800 meter run, placing fourth with a time of 2:26.18.

Sikeston's 4 x 400 meter relay team competed but did not qualify for the state meet.

Also in the area, New Madrid County Central's Jeffery McFarland qualified in three individual events with two second place finishes in the 100 and 200 meter dashes respectively and a fourth place finish in the 400 meter dash. He also ran a leg on NMCC's third place 4 x 200 meter relay team.

NMCC's 4 x 100 meter relay team placed fourth to qualify.

On the girls side, Hannah Burleson qualified in the 100 and 200 meter dashes with a second and third place finish respectively. She also ran the anchor leg on the Lady Bearcats' first place 4 x 100 meter relay team.

Dexter's Natalie Hayes placed third in the 400 meter dash.