ST. VINCENT TRIES TO DEFEND GOLF TITLE; 4A SQUADS APPEAR EVEN

Barring another snowfall or other inclement weather, defending Class 1A state champion St. Vincent and other Southeast Missouri golf teams will usher in the new season on Tuesday.

While St. Vincent, which lost only one golfer to graduation, might contend for another state crown, the balance of Class 4A power seems to have shifted away from the area to Sikeston and Poplar Bluff.

Cape Central

Graduation took a toll on Central (11-3-1), as three of the top five players, including Southeast Missouri State University signee Dane McLaird, were lost. The Tigers placed third in district play last year.

Senior Danny Groesbeck, who averaged a 39 last season and is the defending district champion, returns. Other top Tigers should be seniors Jeff Haycraft and Kent Phillips, junior Josh Miller and sophomore Nick Harter. Juniors Drew Christian and Dusty York are vying for slots among the top six.

Coach Dick Wadlington said Sikeston and Poplar Bluff should be the top teams this season in Southeast Missouri.

Notre Dame

Notre Dame, which finished second in the district tournament last season and qualified for state play, returns only one player with any varsity experience, sophomore Nick Martin.

Coach Chris Janet hopes to see Martin and freshman Tim Buerck shoot consistently in the low 40s. The other four varsity slots will be vied for by juniors Derek Welter, David Beussink, Jordan Tatum and Cliff Illers, and sophomores Lucas Klein, Ryan Hannan, Elliot Mashman and Andrew Tracey.

"We're searching for a varsity team," Janet said. "We'll have to have some guys step up."

Jackson

Jackson has a state tournament qualifier back in senior Gabe Estes, but the team, which went 8-8 last year, will consist mostly of underclassmen.

Sophomore Andy Kohl, junior Chris Pike and senior Tommy Henderson each saw a lot of action last year and should battle for a place among the top six, along with sophomore Brett McDowell.

A large freshman crop will vie for varsity spots, coach Ron Cook said. Nevertheless, Cook said he expects this year's team to be better than last season's.

Perryville

Perryville (9-12) returns its entire team from last season, led by two-time state tournament qualifer and defending district champion Ryan Besand, a senior. Besand placed fourth in conference play last year, behind teammate Derek Cattoor, also a senior.

Seniors Andy Tanz and Nathan Rellergert, and juniors Jeff Hotop, Josh Ponder, Jon Yancey and Mike Riney likely will battle for spots in the varsity lineup.

"We're looking for a really good squad," said coach Lynn O'Neil.

St. Vincent

All-stater Craig Schumer, a sophomore, leads the Indians in their quest to return to the state tournament. And coach Tom Prost says that after Schumer, nine other Indians are all capable of earning a slot among the team's top six.

Indians who traveled to the state tournament last year are senior Joe Ponder, juniors Ryan Prost and Matt Hoch, and sophomore Jon Paulus. Other top players are seniors Dusty Cattoor and Ben Favier, juniors Keith Pecaut and Todd Meyer, and sophomore Mark Gotto.

"I told the kids you've got to get a little bit better to repeat," Prost said, "and you've got to get a little lucky."