The weather hasn't cooperated very well this spring with track and field coaches across the area, but when the sun finally breaks through and meets begin the competition should be interesting.

A look at some of the local track and field teams:

Cape Central

The Tiger track team, headed by coach Jerry Dement, is looking to continue its string of district and conference titles. Central's boys have claimed both championships the last four years.

"We always set high goals," Dement said. "Our kids are trying to build on the tradition we've set over the years. This has been a very fun group to coach."

Senior Travis Cox leads a speedy group of Tiger sprinters that should prove to be the strength of the team. Cox is the school record-holder in the 300-meter hurdles and is looking for a return to the Class 4A state meet.

Juniors Emmanuel Harris, Chris Allen and Steven Criddle, all returning with state experience, will be important parts of the Tigers' top sprint relay teams.

Junior high jumper Ben Higgins returns from last year after clearing 6-2 as a sophomore. Junior Lee Schlitt (pole vault) is another returning letterman.

Distance runners are scarce on the Tigers' squad, but back with experience are seniors Rory Kipper and Mike Stone and juniors Matt Hawkins and Tim Chisman.

In the throwing events the Tigers don't return much experience, but have a load of talent. Junior Demarco Williams and sophomore Clay Willis could make some noise here.

Central has about 45 boys out this season.

The Lady Tiger are also looking to have another successful season after last year's sixth place state finish. Central's girls haven't lost a dual meet in two years.

"We've lost some good girls, but we have several that are returning," girls coach Paula Watkins said. "We'd like to be conference and district champions again and then take a lot of girls to state."

Seniors Tobie Bittle and Kristen Tallent return with state experience. Both girls have been all-state the last two years as members of the Lady Tigers' 4x400 relay team. Bittle has also participated at the state meet in the 800 meters.

Another senior coming back from last year is senior Carmelia Hutson (shot/discus).

Others returning with varsity experience: juniors Myka Bohnsack (distance), Bonquita Cox (sprinter), Courtney Haman (high jump/hurdles) and Leannne Lee (distance); sophomores Sarah Chaudhari (800 meters) and Dionna Webb (sprinter/long jump).

Central opens the season Thursday at Sikeston.

Jackson

The Indians return only nine lettermen from last year and will be counting on several new faces to contribute on the varsity level.

"We've got about 45 boys out, but we'll have a lot of untested kids," said Jackson coach Bob Sink. "We want to be competitive and I think we will be."

Seniors returning from last year are: Jason Crooks, sprinter; Devree Flint, shot/discus; Chris Shute, sprints; Ryan Walthers, hurdles. Juniors coming back are: Kevin Brinknel, high jump/hurdles; Harith Jones, long/high jump; Matt Hale, distance/jumps; Blake Pope, distance; Nathan Windeknecht, long/triple jump.

Those nine lettermen will be expected to provide most of Jackson's points. Flint returns as the team's top discus and shot thrower.

Said Sink: "I really feel he has an opportunity to be one of the better throwers in the area."

Joining the program for their seniors seasons, J.P. Hall and Kyle Thompson are also being looked to for points in the both the discus and shot put.

School-record holders Hale (high jump) and Windeknecht (long jump) are also looking to improve on their marks. Hale cleared 6-5 in the high jump and Windeknecht jumped 21-6 in the long jump.

"The field events will be our strength," Sink said. "We also have a possibility of being good in hurdles."

The Lady Indians return a few more girls from last year than the boys, but appear to be in the same situation as the Indians.

"We have a few more returning lettermen with this group, but they're kind of untested also," said Sink. "With 50 girls out, we'll have enough kids to work with."

Senior members include: Natalie Essner (sprints), Lindsey Walker (sprints), Becky King (high jump/hurdles) and Amy Schnell (discus/shot).

Returning juniors are: Holly Collier (sprints), Brandi Mijka (sprints), Sara Stiegemeyer (distance), Sara Strock (hurdles) and Christy Thoma (distance). Junior Annie Stoverink, out last year with an illness, will also be back.

Sophomore's expected to make an impact are: Beth Becker (distance), Jodi Brunke (distance), Lisa Sappington (distance), Marci Myrcale (sprinter) and Megan Kuntze (distance/long jump).

"We have some girls that could be good hurdlers and throwers," Sink said. "Sprint relays and the field events wil be our strengths."

Jackson gets its seasons started at home March 31, hosting Kelly, Dexter and Fredericktown.

Scott City

The Rams return 12 lettermen from a group of 23 boys out for track.

"Each year we've taken a step forward," said Scott City boys coach Terry Flannigan. "We want to take another step forward in our conference race, have a little fun and be real competitive."

Seniors Travis Burger and Paul Freed (sprints) return from last year. Burger was a state-qualifier in the 300-meter hurdles.

Returning juniors consist of Dale Burger (pole vault), Taylor Goodale (jumps), Brandon Hilleman (sprints), Chris Josephs (shot/discus), Jeremy Mouser (shot/discus), Ryan Steimle (shot/discus) and Steve Thomas (shot/sprint relays). Thomas qualified for the 2A state meet last year in the shot put.

Sophomores back in the mix are David Eades (distance), David Enderle (jumper/hurdles) and Matt Underwood (sprinter) described as the Rams' fastest runner.

Said Flannigan: "We're not blessed with a whole lot of speed, but we work hard and we're excited about this season."

Only 11 girls make up the Lady Rams track squad, but girls coach David Black isn't too concerned.

"In years past we haven't had great numbers, but the girls have always been competitive," Black said. "All of the girls should be competitive and have a chance to score points at meets."

Black will rely mostly on seniors Laura Spencer and Amy O'Brien and juniors Becca Gowin, Tara Phillips and Lani Bedwell (shot put).

Most of those girls comprised the Lady Rams 4x100 state-qualifying relay team last year. O'Brien has gone to state the past two seasons in the high jump.

Scott City opens Friday at Chaffee.

Chaffee

With 16 boys out for track, Chaffee coach Terry Glenzy is taking a realistic approach to the upcoming season.

"We want to be competitive," said Glenzy. "We know we don't have the numbers to push Kelly and Portageville (for team titles), but we have some pretty good individuals that can keep us competitive.

Sophomore Andy Obermann (shot/discus) finished second in districts and qualified for the state meet last year. Junior Phillip Gross is also being counted on in both the shot and discus.

Said Glenzy: "Obermann and Gross are proven kids."

Senior distance runner Darren McIntosh has been with the program for four years and also has state experience. Junior Andy Proffer did well at districts in both the high jump and 800-meter relay team.

Two seniors, J.D. Hall and Gary Corse, will provide leadership on the distance runs. Other distance runners are: junior Devin Kinder, sophomore David Sexton and freshmen Jeremy Lynn and Sean Hampton.

Sophomore Darren Lincoln leads a group of five freshmen sprinters -- G.P. Glueck, Benji Boitnott, Josh Baker, Chad Despain (hurdles) and Rocky Portell.

Twenty girls comprise the Lady Devils squad coached by Larry Cleair. Of that number 13 return with varsity experience.

"We have some experience, but we're still really young," Cleair said. "We're hoping to have steady improvement as we go through the season."

Distance runner Tonya Lynn is the only senior on the squad. Juniors Stevie Burks (jumps/sprints), Jennifer Finley (sprints), Jeannie Muca (shot/discus) and Kate Nolen (shot/discus) should help provide leadership.

Nine sophomores return and will be counted on for points. Casey Hampton and Tia Hampton are back after going to the 1A state meet in a distance relay. Other sophomores back are sprinters Angela Holland and Brigitte Rains; Throwers Rebecca Reischman and Kristin Bailey and jumpers Karen Benton, Michelle Crowden and Crystal Schultz.

Freshmen Jodi Pfefferkorn (shot/discus) and Amanda Mott (sprints) lead a strong freshmen class.

Chaffee hosts its opening meet Friday.

Kelly

Both Kelly teams are in the hunt for district titles after taking second last year.

Thirty boys are out this season, marking the largest group of boys coach Bill Davis has had to work worth at Kelly. Last year the Hawks also took second in the SEMO South Conference.

"We'd like to finish at the top of heap in the conference and would also like to push for a district title. It will depend on how our young kids come along."

Two all-staters -- senior Joe Livingston and junior Nathen King -- return from last year. Livingston was part of the 4x400 relay team that broke the school record and King was a member of the all-state 4x800 and 4x400 teams.

Key juniors will be Jobi Berry, C.O. Scheffer and Lucus Choate. Sophomore Beau Lampert (high jump) and senior Chad Melton will also be looked to for points. Melton went to state as a sophomore in the 110-meter hurdles but was injured last year.

The Lady Hawks return several members off last year's team and this past fall's state-champion cross country team.

"We have a good group of young ladies," said Davis. "We want to be conference champs again out of all the small schools we've set our sights on our first-ever district title."

Seniors Amy Arteme, Pam Essner, Jenny Forck and Holly Slavings will lead the Lady Hawks. Arteme placed seventh at the 2A state meet in the 3200-meter run and also qualified in 1600-meters and 4x800 relay.

Others returning with state experience are sophomores school-record holders Jenny Riley (1600 meters) and Tabitha Shankle (800 meters). Juniors April Cousins and Natalie Robert also have state experience.

"We return everybody on our state relay teams," Davis said of his 200-, 400- and 800-meter relay teams. "Those are the kids that will be the nucleus of our squad. We've got 23 (girls) and all of them should be able to score for us."

Kelly opens Friday at Chaffee.