"One of the oldest track meets around" will be held today at Southeast Missouri State University's Abe Stuber Track and Field Complex when Cape Central High host a field of 11 boys and 10 girls teams for the 32nd running of the Tiger Relays.

The above description came from Cape Central track coach Jerry Dement and he's expecting another exciting day of competition when action begins with the pole vault at 9:30 a.m. Field events follow at 10 a.m., with running events starting at 10:30 a.m.

"We're expecting some real good competition," Dement said. "There's no pressure added to provide team points, so (the athletes) simply run for medals."

Team scores are not accumulated at the Tiger Relays, but the top finishers in each event are awarded medals.

The boys field looks to be balanced, with several teams in the running for event medals. Dement believes the boys event winners will be spread out among several teams.

"Poplar Bluff and Cairo (Ill.) will be good in the sprints and Jackson should do well in the field events," Dement said. "We're (Cape Central) a little more well rounded and could do well in several events."

The 800- and 400-meter relay events should prove to be quite a race between the Tigers, Cairo and Poplar Bluff. Dement also figures the 3200-meter run will be a close race.

"We'll have boys within 10 seconds of each other," said Dement. "In that long of a run, that's pretty close."

In the girls events, Poplar Bluff and Cape Central should do well in several events. Wednesday, the Lady Mules handed the Lady Tigers their first dual meet loss in four years under coach Paula Watkins.

Paducah Tighlman (Ky.) returns to Cape with Danielle Caruthers still in its arsenal. Caruthers holds two Tiger Relays records in the 100-meter dash (11.91) and the 100-meter hurdles (14.15).

Poplar Bluff's Tenisha Britton, a two-time state champion, could give Caruthers a race in the hurdles. Caruthers is also a two-time state champion in Kentucky.

Watkins is also expecting to see a lot of speed in the sprints and a competitive race in the 4x400 relay.

* Kelly's seventh annual Hawk Invitational, featuring 12 schools, will be held today beginning at 10 a.m.

Competing along with the host squad will be Scott City, Chaffee, Oran, Charleston, New Madrid, Portageville, Ste. Genevieve, Ste. Genevieve Valle, Grandview, Park Hills and Meridian (Ill.).

"We're looking forward to a good meet," said Kelly coach Bill Davis. "There should be some very good competition."

Tiger Relays

(today at Abe Stuber Track and Field Complex)

Field events begin at 9:30 a.m.

Running events at 10:30 a.m.

Schools competing

Cape Girardeau Central

Cairo (Ill.)

Perryville

Jackson

Sikeston

Dyersburg (Tenn.)

Murphysboro (Ill.)

Hillsboro

Poplar Bluff

North County, boys only

Dexter, boys only

Paducah Tighlman (Ky.), girls only