Knight returns to winner's circle at Trail of Tears triathlon

Barry Knight of Paducah, Ky., returned to the winner's circle of a local triathlon Saturday by capturing the Trail of Tears event for the third straight year Saturday at Trail of Tears Park.

Knight also has won four straight Steamboat Triathlons from 2000 to 2003. He finished the half-mile swim, 15-mile bicycle race and four-mile run in 1 hour, 10 minutes, 55 seconds.

Mathew Brier of St. Louis was second 1:12:18, John Baker of Paducah was third in 1:12:26 and Delbert Marriott, winner of this year's Steamboat, finished fourth in 1:12:39.

More than 200 people took part in the event, conducted by the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

Jennifer Meyer of St. Louis finished in 1:18:43 to claim the overall women's title, followed by Carbondale's Ashley Maccurdy (1:21:34) and Helen Alexander-Kratz of St. Louis (1:22:37).

Laura Sheridan was the highest local finisher, placing ninth overall in the women's category and second in the 25- to 29-year-old women's division with a time of 1:34.41.

In the men's 19-under division, Alex Schneider of Cape placed first in 1:27:45, and Jackson's Grant Casteel was second in 1:38:47.

Alex Shearon of Jackson was second in the 50 to 54 men's division at 1:32:11, and Eric Redinger finished third in the 25 to 29 division in 1:18:40.

Vicki Litz of Jackson placed second in the 50 to 54 women's division in 1:42:32, and Abbie Crites-Leoni of Cape was third in the female 30 to 34 women's group in 1:45.52.

In the team divisions, Clay Tummins and David Burdick of Cape teamed up with Alex Ramsey of Burfordville, Mo., to claim the men's title in 1:20.41. Cape's Chad Rollins and Devon Barnes and Jackson's Matt Kahle finished third in 1:38.35.

Brittney Ruopp of Jackson, Laura Klipfel of Cape and Kari Miinch of Millersville (Mo.) finished third in the women's category.

In the coed team division, Cape's Kyle McDonald joined Sikeston's Steve Franklin and Dexter's Lora Coots for a third-place finish in 1:27.51.

Autumn Open golf

Ben McKuin, Dennis Drerup, Ken Hosea and Bryan Johnson scrambled a 57 to claim the championship flight of the Autumn Open golf tournament Saturday at the Jaycee Municipal Golf Course.

Joe Golden, Gene Golden, Tim Sadler and Keith Raganyi won the A flight with a 62. Kenny Brown, Carol Brown, Durwood Thurman and LaVonda Thurman teamed up for a 66 to win the B flight. Mark Ervin, Willie Ervin, John Hinton and Gene Farrar captured the C flight with a 68.

-- From staff reports

n Results from both events in Monday's edition.