CAPE CENTRAL RUNNERS TO COMPETE IN SECTIONAL

Coming off strong district performances, Cape Central's boys and girls cross country teams will compete in the Class 4A sectional meet today at Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.

Jackson will send several individuals while Kelly and Notre Dame's teams will be competing as in the 1A-2A district race. Perryville will be competing in a Class 3A district meet in Potosi.

Leading the way for Cape Central's squads will be district winner Lane Thomasson and Mark Stone.

"When healthy, they are both threats to be all-state," said Central coach Mark Hahn.

Health has been an issue with Stone, who missed last Saturday's district race. The Tigers finished second in his absence to qualify him for sectional.

Hahn said he believes Stone, who is nursing an Achilles tendon injury, will be ready for today but won't really be sure until race time.

Thomasson is coming off a personal best time of 19 minutes and 41 seconds.

Both runners will have to be in top form to have a chance in the sectional race.

The toughest competition will come out of District 2, which contains most of the larger St. Louis schools.

The strongest girls' teams include perennial state champion Kirkwood, along with Laf ayette, Parkway West and Marquette - all District 2 teams.

The boys will have to run against Parkway West, Parkway South, Marquette and Lafayette, all of which are District 2 teams, as well. Marquette won the sectional last year.

The strongest individual runners are considered to be Lafayette's Laura Kennedy, the District 2 winner and an early favorite to become girls state champion. Marquette's Dave Mertens, the District 2 champion, is likely the strongest male runner.

The Tigers, who finished second in their district, will have to finish in the top four teams to advance to state. The top 30 individuals also advance to the state meet, which will be held next Saturday in Jefferson City.

Jackson was unable to advance either of its teams to the sectional race, but will be sending several individuals.

Jackson's Josh Minson, Doug Dixon and Zach Friedrich will compete in the boys' race while Julie Wunderlich, Laura Umfleet and Carol Koenig will run in the girls' race.

"Both Julie and Laura have been trading positions back and forth on our team," said Jackson coach Jim Stoverink. "Both of them have an excellent chance of making it on to the state meet. For the boys, Josh Minson has been running really strong, improving all season. He has a good chance."

Stoverink was disappointed his girls didn't advance as a team to sectionals for the first time in 15 years.

"We lost four of our top five girls from last year," said Stoverink.