KELLY GETS ANOTHER SHOT AT STATE MEET

Chaffee's Andy Obermann and Kelly's Logan Kirk were both somewhat disappointed with their performances Saturday.

So they had to settle for a district championship.

Even not at their best, Obermann (shotput) and Kirk (Discus) threw well enough to take first place at the Class 2A, District 1 Tournament held at the Abe Stuber Track and Field Complex in Cape Girardeau.

Obermann, the area's top shot put performer, took first with a throw of 49-0. It was three feet shy of his personal best, but still four feet longer than the runner-up. Obermann also took second in the discus with a throw of 125-11.

"I was kind of disappointed," said Obermann, who took eighth in the shot at last year's state meet. "I was wanting to do better so I'd get a better flight at state."

The best district performer gets to throw last at state, where Obermann believes he has a chance to win the 2A championship.

As for Kirk, he knew he could've done better than his first-place discus throw of 129-07, but was glad to take first place.

"I'm usually in the high 130s or low 140s," said Kirk. "But nobody threw real well today. The wind was blowing the wrong way. But it's good if you have a bad day then still take first. You have to feel good about that."

Kirk and Obermann were two of a handful of area athletes to medal Saturday. The top four competitors received medals, while the top two advance to the state meet.

Lutheran North won both the boys and girls titles by a landslide. The Crusaders won the girls title over Kelly by 74 points, while winning the boys title over second-place Malden by 29.

Chaffee's boys took seventh place among the 13 teams, while Scott City's girls tied for 11th.

Scott City's girls took eighth, while Chaffee's girls took ninth.

Kelly, the host team of the meet, advanced six to state, the most of the local teams. Jenny Riley and sophomore standout Adam Daughhtee advanced in two events. Riley won the 3,200 in a time of 13:04 and took second in the 1,600 in a time of 5:59.

Daughhtee ran an outstanding 1,600 in 4:28.4, just .2 seconds behind district champ Alan Heincker from Grandview. He also took second in the 3,200 with a time of 10:18.7.

"That was the best race of the day," said Kelly coach Bill Davis. "That was the highlight for me. He had a great race. He's the kind of kid who is highly motivated. If he runs a great race, he could win it all."

Also advancing for Kelly was freshman pole vaulter Julia Vetter (second place, 6-0); pole vaulter Travis Braun (second at 9-0); and Melissa Garner, who took second in the 3,200 behind Riley at 13:31.9.

For Scott City, Dana Essner vaulted 6-foot-6 to win the championship.

Chaffee freshman Jennifer Vandeven took second in the 200 with a time of 27.1.

Davis was surprised with his girls' second-place finish.

"I never dreamed we'd get second," Davis said. "I figured at best a third or a fourth."

For more results, see Scoreboard on Page 4B.