Track squads test skills before start of season
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S MARCIE RATCLIFF fires the discus during the Kirbyville meet last week. Ratcliff placed fifth in the competition.

Jasper High School varsity track teams got a needed chance to test their skills at Kirbyville last week before heading into the district competition in Orangefield this week.

In the boys' field events, Jomar Cauley took first place in shot put and second in discus. Carlos Carter was third in discus.

In individual running events, Zach Riggins was third in the 3200 meters race; Tim Cauley, first place, 110 hurdles; Daunte Cauley, sixth in the 100 meter dash; Jaymous Mouton, second place, 800 meters run; and Joey Finley, fourth place, 800 meters run.

The sprint relay team of Danterio Anderson, John Sells, Daunte Cauley and Jamie Grant finished third. The 800 meters relay team also placed third. The mile relay was second after one of the other teams was disqualified.

The girls' team took their top relay teams to the Texas Relays, but only the 4x200 was able to compete because of foul weather.

"They beat their best time and ran a 1.50.7," Coach Shareba Smith said. "The sprint relay was scheduled to run at 9 a.m. on Saturday, but Friday night's weather turned really cold and wet. Saturday it was 32 degrees so we came home. We have district this week."

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S John Sells and Danterio Anderson practice hand-offs before the 4x100 meter relay. The 4x100 m team of Sells,Anderson, Daunte Cauley and Jamie Grant placed third in the Kirbyville meet in preparation for the district track season ahead. Both the boys and girls' teams will open up the district season in Orangefield this week.

At the Kirbyville meet, the 4x400 relay team was third and the 4x200 finished fourth. Those teams consisted of Caroline Kipp, Victoria Tukes, Daphne Sells, and Tameeka Galloway.

In individual competition, Kelsey Walker was fifth in the 800 meters run; Denissia Spikes, fourth in high jump; and Marcie Ratcliff, fifth place in discus.

"I think we will be ok in district," Smith said. "We expect to get our relay teams out and also some individuals."

JASPER'S JOMAR CAULEY, above left, placed second in the discus and first in the shot put at the Kirbyville meet. Kelsey Walker, above, placed fifth in the 800-meter run.Tim Cauley, left, placed first in the 110 high hurdles. Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy