Area sports digest 9/25/02

Mizzou may seek medical redshirt for Whitney

The Missouri Tigers might seek a medical redshirt for former Jackson High School star Mario Whitney, beset by injuries in his freshman season.

Whitney suffered a concussion in the preseason and was used primarily by Missouri as a kick returner in its first two games and sparingly at running back.

Whitney suffered a separated shoulder during warm-ups prior to the Tigers' last game, a 51-28 loss to Bowling Green, and did not play. Whitney will not be in uniform Saturday when the Tigers play Troy State.

Whitney has had a slow start with the Tigers after rushing for 2,782 yards and scoring 43 touchdowns last season at Jackson. At Missouri, Whitney has two kick returns for a total of 45 yards and carried five times for seven yards.

With the speedy Whitney playing behind a group of running backs, led by starting tailback Zack Abron, Missouri coach Gary Pinkel has been contemplating the red-shirt.

"I certainly think he's got a remarkable future," Pinkel said. "I just need to make sure that we do the right thing, No. 1 for the team, and secondly, as far as opportunity for him so that we get the most of his abilities during his career here."

Olive Branch player learns from Cardinals

Jacob Klein, 11, of Olive Branch, Ill., got to stand on the infield of Busch Stadium on Aug. 24 and learn hitting, fielding, base running and pitching from current Cardinals coaches and Cardinals lead-off man Fernando Vina.

Klein won the chance to participate in the Vina clinic by entering a contest sponsored by K103 and Outback Steak House in Cape Girardeau. Klein's name was picked at random from a list of entries.

The G'Day Clinic consisted of a question-and-answer session with the participants and Vina, photo time and the different practice stations.

Besides the chance to learn fielding from last year's gold glove winner at second base, the participants also received free Cardinals jerseys and hats, an autographed ball, free game tickets for the Cardinals game and an autographed photo.

Noel wins Bass Busters club tournament

Brad Noel of Jackson won Sunday in the Bass Busters of Southeast Missouri tournament at the Ohio River (Smithland Pool).

Noel fished a clear running creek just off the river. He flipped tubes and used a Bandit 200 series crankbait to target wood cover on the channel break to win the tournament.

Steve Ramey of Cape Girardeau was second. He focused on main river flats, targeting woody cover with plastic worms.

Kevin Bryant won Big Bass honors by fishing a plastic worm in main river wood cover.

Sunday's river conditions were low and falling, with strong winds from the north and clear skies.Water temperature was in the mid-70s.

-- From staff reports