~Track and field: Class 3, District 1
SIKESTON -- The Sikeston Bulldogs will be hosting their first ever district track and field meet tomorrow as Class 3, District 1 action kicks off at Sikeston Public Schools Stadium at 11 a.m.
Sikeston will be among 15 teams vying for the team championship while a host of individuals fight for a chance to advance to the sectional round.
"We're very exciting about a chance to show off our new facility that the people in our school system of Sikeston have provided us," said Sikeston track coach Jerry Dement. "It's a wonderful, beautiful facility and it should produce some quality performances both on and off the track.
"We've always had to run on the road for a district championship. Now we get a chance to take one at home, but we've got a big hill to climb. We should be right in the thick of things. There will be some quality races and some quality field events."
Sikeston, winners of four straight district championships from 2001-04, have come in second place the last two years, including last year to eventual state champion Potosi.
"We've been first or second the last seven years," said Dement. "We won four in a row and then Perryville and Potosi have won it the last two years so we've been kind of the brides maid. We're in the thick of things again with a chance to challenge. Realistically the top three teams going in by seeds are Sikeston, Potosi and Farmington. There's some very good competitors among the other schools but the team championship on the boys side should come down to those three teams."
Sikeston is weak in the distance events, but the Bulldogs have high seeds in nearly all speed and horizontal jumping events as well as the speed relays.
"We've got some kids seeded really high that if they perform up to their ability are going to have a good chance to not only earn points for us but to move on to the sectional round," said Dement. "I think the spring events -- 100, 200 and 400 -- we're strong. The three speed relays we've got a chance to do very well in. The horizontal jumps and the throws as well."
Juniors Brandon Washington and Tommie Strong are both seeded high in the 100 and 200 meter dashes.
Both also run legs on the Bulldogs' top-seeded 4 x 200 meter relay team and the No. 2 seeded 4 x 100 relay team.
David Stovall is seeded second in the 400 meter dash.
Sikeston's 4 x 400 relay team is seeded third.
In the throwing events, A.J. Vanover is seeded fourth in discus while Salamar Cox is seeded second in the shot put.
Mark Williamson and Eli Jackson are seeded second and third respectively in the long jump.
Dominic Fondon and Demetrius Jackson are seeded third and fourth respectively in the triple jump.
In the high jump, Andre Goodwin is seeded fifth.
"Potosi is going to be dominant in the distance events with a chance to score in several other events," said Dement. "Farmington is similar to us -- their talent is kind of spread across the board. It's really going to be a meet of balance between us and Farmington versus Potosi's distance talent."
On the girls side, Sikeston isn't expected to challenge for a team title, but Dement is hoping for several strong performances individually.
"The team title will probably be decided between Festus and Ste. Genevieve with the rest of us chasing them," said Dement of the girls. "We like our chances in several events. It should be a great day."
Junior Chasman Herrion, a state qualifier the last two years, is seeded first in the 100 meter dash. Michel'le Flye is seeded third.
Sikeston is seeded second in the 4 x 200 meter relay behind New Madrid County Central. The Lady Bulldogs are seeded first in the 4 x 100 relay. Ebony Banks is seeded third in the 400 meter dash. Alonda Harris is seeded fifth in the 800 meter run. Sikeston is seeded fourth in the 4 x 400 relay.