LOCAL 4A RUNNERS CHASE DISTRICT TITLES

Jackson High cross country coach Jim Stoverink views the Class 4A, District 1 meet as two-horse races: his Lady Indians versus Cape Girardeau Central on the girls side, and Central against Northwest-House Springs in the boys event.

"The top two teams are pretty good," Stoverink said, "but the rest are not very strong at all."

The meet, at Jackson City Park, is set for 11 this morning for the girls and 11:45 for the boys. The top four teams and the top 30 individuals in both races advance to next weekend's sectional meet at Sioux Passage Park in St. Louis.

Central coach Mark Hahn said he would like to see both of his teams place in the top two, and they "certainly" should finish among the top four. "I would say it's not an exceptionally tough district," he said.

Hahn said senior Myka Bohnsack, who competed in the state meet last season, should vie for the district title. Brittany Ballard, who has excelled this season although only a freshman, should be "right up there," he added.

Jonathan Anderson, a senior who qualified for the state meet as a sophomore but did not participate in cross country last season, has a shot at the district championship, Hahn said. Sophomore Mark Stone also looks to place near the top.

Stoverink said four of his girls could place in the top 10 and receive all-district honors, and the fifth possibly could slide in among them. The Lady Indians placed 13th in the state meet last year.

Amanda Beussink, a sophomore who is a first-year harrier, has been Jackson's top runner of late, and junior Julie Wunderlich has often been on her heels. Junior Jennifer Brown and senior Sarah Stiegemeyer have been close behind.

Stoverink said his boys team could place anywhere in the second tier of the eight-team boys race.

Blake Pope has been the boys team's leader all season and could land in the top 10. Stoverink said Zach Friedrich could place among the top 30.