ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Matt Underwood

School: Scott City

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Track

Events: 100, 200 meters and relays

Coach: Terry Flannigan

Week report: Underwood won two individual district titles and was on two winning relay teams, qualifying him to compete in four events at this weekend's Class 2A state meet. Underwood won the 100 (11.4) and 200 meters (23.6) and also anchored the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams. In a six-team meet hosted by Kelly earlier in the week, Underwood won the 100 and 200 meters with times of 11.93 and 23.94, respectively.

On the season: In only his second season of varsity athletics, Underwood had blossomed into one of the fastest athletes in the area. Earlier in the season, he broke the school record in the 100 meters with a time of 11.23. Underwood also plays football.

Coach's comments: "Over the last year, Matt's grown a lot, matured a lot and has turned into an outstanding young man -- athletically and socially. I've been very pleased with his work ethic and attitude. At the rate he's going, it going to be privilege to coach him the next few years."

Natalie Robert

School: Kelly

Class: Junior

Sport: Track

Events: 100, 200 meters and relays

Coach: Bill Davis

Week report: Robert qualified for the 2A state meet in four events, anchoring two district-winning relay teams (4x100 and 4x200), winning the 200 meters (28.0) and taking second in the 100 meters (13.4). Those efforts helped the Lady Hawks win the District 1 meet by 30 points. In a six-team meet hosted by Kelly earlier in the week, Robert won the 100 (14.05) and 200 meters (27.76) and once again anchored two winning relay teams.

On the season: Despite splitting time between Kelly's softball and track teams, Robert excelled in both sports this spring. In district preliminaries, she ran personal best times in the 100 (12.9) and 200 meters (27.4). Robert was also a key figure on the Lady Hawks' undefeated spring softball team and was also a member of the fall softball team that won the 2A state championship.

Coach's comments: "Natalie's a real good student, a really class person and a hard worker. When it comes to meet times, she really puts out her best effort. When she gets the baton, you know she's going hard to the wire; she just runs away from the competition."