CENTRAL BREAKS IN NEW TRACK COMPLEX WITH EASY VICTORIES

Cape Girardeau Central High School broke in its new track and field complex Wednesday afternoon with a pair of easy dual-meet victories over Sikeston.

Central's boys posted a 102-51 triumph while the girls romped 120-17.

"It was exciting to have our first meet on the new track and we broke it in well," said Central coach Jerry Dement. "I thought the kids performed well, especially for the first time out."

On the boys side, Central won 13 of 18 events. Double individual winners for the Tigers were Gabe Austin in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs; Demetrius Totten in the 200 and 400; and Chris Allen in the long jump and triple jump.

Sikeston's Adrian Barnhill was the overall standout of the boys meet, winning the 110 hurdles, the 300 hurdles and the high jump.

While Central's boys posted a comfortable victory, the girls simply mauled the visitors as they won all but one of the 17 events.

Central's Dionna Webb, who was second in the long jump at the Class 4A state meet last year, captured three individual events: the long jump, the 100 and the 200.

Courtney Haman also was a triple individual winner as she claimed the 100 hurdles, the 300 hurdles and the high jump.

Heather Jenkins won two events as she captured the shot put and discus.

"We had some very good performances, especially for the first meet of the season," said Central girls coach Lawrence Brookins.

Complete results of the meet are in `Scoreboard' on 2B.

GIRLS SOCCER

Cape Central 4, Ft. Zumwalt North 0

ST. PETERS -- Cape Central picked up its second victory in as many games to start the young season as the Lady Tigers got a shutout on the road Wednesday.

Lorie Bittle, Corie Nunnally, Amanda Hiller and Amber Voerg all scored goals for the Lady Tigers while Voerg and Tricia Klipfel got assists.

"We're off to a good start but we'll have it tough Friday," said Central coach Tom Doyle.

Friday is when the Lady Tigers wind up the season-opening Interstate Tournament as they open their home schedule against talented St. Charles West, which went 27-2 last year.

"They've got an excellent team," said Doyle. "It's going to be a big challenge for us."

Notre Dame 1, Ft. Zumwalt South 1

Notre Dame broke in its brand-new field with a tie Wednesday.

Both teams scored early in the game, Ft. Zumwalt South converting a free kick and Jill Edwards countering for the Lady Bulldogs, with an assist from Cindy Cox.

"It was a very even game," said Notre Dame coach Jeff Worley, whose squad is now 0-1-1. "They probably had more scoring chances than we did, but either team could have won."

Notre Dame travels to Ft. Zumwalt North Friday.

St. Vincent 2, St. Pius 1

PERRYVILLE -- St. Vincent, fielding a girls soccer team for the first time, began the season with a victory at home Wednesday.

Cari Strattman and Kindle Ernst scored the goals for the Squaws. Strattman and Stephanie Schremp earned assists.

"It was exciting," said St. Vincent coach Mike Nichols. "The girls were really happy about winning our first game."

Perryville 3, Poplar Bluff 1

POPLAR BLUFF -- Perryville opened its season Tuesday with a road victory.

Amanda Schumer, Stacy Baer and Brittney Weibrecht scored for the Lady Pirates.

Perryville's JV won 4-1 with Amy Garris scoring two goals.

BASEBALL

Jackson 13, Ste. Genevieve 1

JACKSON -- Jackson opened its season Wednesday with a resounding five-inning, run-rule win at home.

Chris Schlick pitched all five innings, allowing four hits while striking out 10 and walking two.

The Indians banged out 13 hits, with Toby Freeman and Andy Callis both going 3-for-3 and Tory Meyr adding two hits. Freeman belted a home run while he and Callis both drove in two runs.

"It was one of the better first games we've played in the last couple of years," said Jackson coach Sam Sides. "It's a good way to start the season."

Jackson will play at Notre Dame Friday.

Sikeston 9, Kelly 3

SIKESTON -- Kelly began its season by losing on the road Wednesday.

"It was a typical first game," said Kelly coach Mike Scott. "We shot ourselves in the foot in a lot of areas, but I also saw a lot of bright spots."

Losing pitcher Justin Simpher, a sophomore, allowed just one earned run among the six total he gave up. He allowed four hits.

"For a sophomore in his first varsity game, I thought Justin threw well," said Scott.

Jamie Essner had two of Kelly's nine hits.

St. Vincent 21, Leopold 2

LEOPOLD -- St. Vincent scored 13 runs in the first inning and coasted to the road win Wednesday as the Indians improved to 2-0.

Dusty Wengert went 4-for-4 with a double, a triple, three runs scored and one run batted in to pace the Indians. Justin Amschler went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

Bryan Meyer, Adam Bockman and Derek Kutz each had two hits for the Indians.

Tyler Wengert, a freshman, picked up the win in three innings. He allowed two hits and a walk while striking out four.

Oran 15, Delta 1

ORAN -- Oran claimed its second lopsided victory of the young season Wednesday as the Eagles crushed visiting Delta in five innings.

The Eagles have outscored their first two foes by a combined 30-1 score.

Dustin Dannenmueller pitched all five innings, allowing three hits while fanning seven and walking one.

Chris Nichols, Billy Loper and Garrett Cook all had two of Oran's 10 hits.

Oran will host Valle Friday.

BOYS GOLF

Sikeston 158, Cape Central 171

SIKESTON -- Central kicked off its season Wednesday as talented Sikeston knocked off the visiting Tigers.

Sikeston's Blake Harmon and Brandon DeWitt paced both teams with low scores of 38. Ryan Griggs followed with a 40 and Brett Pearson had a 42.

Jeff Haycraft paced Central with a 42. Josh Miller, Nick Harter and Luke Oliver all came in at 43.

"Sikeston has a very good team. I think they're probably the cream of the crop (in Southeast Missouri) this year," said Central coach Dick Wadlington. "We kind of had a mixture today. Some of our kids did extremely well and some of the kids struggled. But it was good to get the season started."

St. Vincent 154, Notre Dame 184

PERRYVILLE -- Defending Class 1A state champion St. Vincent got the 1999 season off to a flying start by rolling past visiting Notre Dame Wednesday.

John Paulus, Joe Ponder and Ryan Prost all had scores of 38 to pace the Indians. Craig Schumer and Matt Hoch followed at 40.

"I didn't expect this score at all to start off the season, with three kids in the 30s," said St. Vincent coach Tom Prost. "I don't know if we shot much better than that all last year. It was a good way to start off."

Nick Martin's 43 led Notre Dame. Next were Tom Buerck at 46, Jordan Tatum at 47 and Lucas Klein at 48.

"I was pleased with our scores, considering the conditions," Notre Dame coach Chris Janet said. "But St. Vincent's bunch is a pretty salty group."

Notre Dame returns to action today, hosting Perryville and Clearwater