Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Demetrius Childress won both the 110- and 300-meter hurdles Tuesday at the Kennett Invitational at Metz Cherry Stadium. [Click to enlarge]

The Kennett Indians track team racked up several first-place finishes and continued its strong season as it edged out New Madrid County Central to once again win the Kennett Invitational Tuesday at Metz Cherry Stadium.

On the girls' side, the Lady Tribe finished second behind defending SEMO Central Conference champion Dexter -- the first time all season Kennett's girls' squad finished anywhere besides first.

In the boys' division, Kennett outpaced NMCC 151-145, while Kelly took third with 89 points in the nine-team field.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Johnathan Rogers shot a 38 to earn medalist honors in Tuesday's golf match at Kennett Country Club. [Click to enlarge]

"I am very proud how the boys are turning things up a notch," Kennett boys coach Jim Tidd said. "We had many season and career bests tonight from the guys. All the hard work they are doing in practice is starting to pay off."

Leading the way for the Tribe was Greg Bowles, who finished first in the high jump with a career high jump of 6-6. Bowles also won the long jump with a leap of 21-3 and was second in the triple with a 42-1.

Demetrius Childress placed first in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles with times of 15.91 and 40.77, respectively, while Will Johnson placed third in the 110-hurdles with a time of 16.64 and second in the 300 hurdles with a 41.69. Jimmy Gooden rounded out the Indians' first-place finishes with a winning time of 53.06 in the 400-meters.

Tyler Daugherty placed third in both the 1600-meters (5:08) and 3200-meters (11:09), while Blake Parr placed fourth in the 400-meters (55.0) and third in the shot put with a throw of 41-3. Kennett's relay teams also showed well, finishing second in the 4x200- and 4x400-relay and third in the 4x800-relay.

On the girls side, Dexter won with 160 points, while Kennett was second with 140 and Kelly third with 75 points.

"It was a little tough tonight because this is the first meet that we have not won first place in this year," Kennett girls track coach Marc Sherrell said. "With that being said it is not a disgrace to finish second to Dexter. We all knew what Dexter was bringing on the girls side. They have a very talented group of girls who we will be battling against at our conference meet. However, I could not be prouder of our girls tonight."

Jelesea Taylor led the way for the Lady Tribe, winning first place in both the triple jump (30-9) and the long jump (15-1), while Susan Shetley took second in the 300-hurdles with a time of 52.26, second in the triple jump with a 30-7 jump and third in the 100-hurdles with a time of 18.13.

Sharika Walls took second in both the shot put (30-1) and discus (76-3), with Tamika Calloway taking third in the shot put with a throw of 30-feet even. Veronica Amos placed third in the 400 with a time of 1:06, while Kennett's 4x800 relay team finished second with a time of 12:09. Other finishes were Leanna Siebenhuener came home fourth in the 1600, while Samantha Geary took fourth in the 3200.

Both of Kennett's track teams will be in action Friday at the Poplar Bluff Invitational before heading to Cape-Notre Dame on Monday for the SEMO Central Conference meet at Notre Dame.

Golf
Kennett wins 15th match
The Kennett Indians golf team continued its stellar season as it downed both Sikeston and NMCC in the home finale Tuesday at Kennett Country Club.

The Tribe shot a 161, easily outdistancing Sikeston (182) and NMCC (185).

With the victory, Kennett improves to 15-0 in dual and triangular matches.

"I was really happy to win that because Sikeston is tough," Kennett coach Ken Garland said. "They're one of our main competitors in the district."

Playing in his final match at KCC, Johnathan Rogers overcame a double bogey on the opening hole to shoot a 38 and earn medalist honors.

"He really made a good comeback," said Garland. "He went 2-over on the opening hole then parred everything else."

Randy Crawford shot a 39 for Kennett, while Ryan Richardson carded a 41, Sean Callawaert scored a 43 and Ben Collins shot a 46.

Kennett travels to Dalhousie Golf Course in Cape Girardeau today to take on Saxony Lutheran and Doniphan.