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     Softball
     Volleyball
     Track                             

Salem going for 30th straight win over Houston             

by Dwayne McClellan
    Staff Writer
    newsstaff@earthlink.net

Salem can get into the win column and extend its winning streak over Houston to 30 games with a win in an SCA game 7 p.m. Sept. 3 in Houston.
    Both teams are 0-1 overall and in the SCA.
    Salem Coach Bill Schuchardt, who came to Salem in 1981, has not lost to Houston on the varsity football field, which accounts for 29 games in the streak.
    The last time Houston beat Salem was a 19-6 decision in 1980 when the red-and-white Tigers won the third of three straight games against Salem.
    Salem leads the all-time series 37-14, including a 34-14 win on a rain-soaked Salem field last year in Salem's homecoming festivities.
    Salem will get at least two of its injured players back for the Friday game.
    Schuchardt said Carson Sheppard (ribs) and Dylan Burke (ankle) are okay and are expected to play. However, Jade Wisdom (concussion) and Jared Shorey (sprained arch) will not be available. Johnnie Boyd (hperextended knee) may or may not play, Shuchardt said.
    It's also a game between two teams who had trouble hanging onto the football last week.
    Salem lost three fumbles and was intercepted once in a 20-14 SCA loss to Thayer, including a fumble on its first drive of the game, inside the Bobcat five-yard line. Houston lost three of five fumbles and had one interception in a 34-13 loss to Cabool.
    "Houston has a young team and once they got through the first quarter it was a lot better football team," Schuchardt said. "Houston doesn't quit, their players just keep coming after you."
    Said Houston Coach David Williams: "We're a young team and last week we only started three players who started last season. We're going to have to be patient because it takes time to get the system in."
    Both Schuchardt and Williams described the first-week problems as fixable.
    Quarterback Kyle Jones and back Jacob Case lead Houston's offense. Jones rushed for 99 yards on 23 carries, while Case had 88 yards on 16 carries and scored both Houston touchdowns. Jones completed five passes for 69 yards.
    "Jones has happy feet, and he will take off and scramble for a lot of yards," Schuchardt said. "We need to be able to contain him."
    Houston is expected to line up in a 4-4 defense.
    Williams is in his first year as Houston's coach but is no stranger to the SCA. A former Mountain Grove quarterback, Williams was the head coach at Liberty, Cabool, Mountain Grove and Ava.
    He knows Salem well.
    "Salem is always a tough team to play, and the Wishbone is a hard offense to prepare for," Williams said. "We need to play assignment football, not give up the big plays and make them drive the length of the field to score. We need to pay attention to the quarterback and fullback."

BANGED-UP SALEM LOSES TO THAYER IN OPENER

Tiger turnovers and injuries and Thayer's potent running game were evident in Salem's season-opening 20-14 loss Aug. 27 in Salem. It was Thayer's return to the SCA in football since being absent from the league in that sport since the 1987 season. The Tigers lost three fumbles, including one inside Thayer's five-yard line on its opening drive, and one interception late in the game. Meanwhile Thayer lost two fumbles. Thayer picked up 327 rushing yards on 50 carries. Running back Cameron Carey had 150 yards, while Jeremy Cabrales had 100. Salem pulled to within 20-7 at the 2:28 mark of the second quarter on quarterback Ryan Smith's 33-yard run. That drive was set up by a long kick-off return by Sammy Ibrahim. In the third period, Jared Shorey scored on a 27-yard run. Presley added another PAT kick to make it 20-14. Presley had two conversion kicks on the night.

SEASON PREVIEW: TIGERS HAVE SPEED, AGGRESSIVE DEFENSE

By Dwayne McClellan
    Staff Writer
    newsstaff@earthlink.net

The most important thing for the 2010 Tigers is staying healthy.
    Coach Bill Schuchardt, starting his 30th year as the Tigers' head coach, must replace 12 starters, including nine all-SCA players from a 2009 team that was 7-4 overall and won its first district title since 2002, then advanced to the state playoffs for the second straight season.
    But Schuchardt feels good about his 27 returning lettermen, which includes 11 starters and three All-SCA players. It's a team that has key returning offensive linemen and eight players with double-digit tackles on defense last year.
    "We have a good group of kids," Schuchardt said. "We just need to stay healthy."
    The season starts with a home SCA game 7 p.m. Aug. 27 against Thayer, a team Salem hasn't played since 1987.
    "I don't think our style of play will change that much," Schuchardt said. "I think our defense is very aggressive, we've got some speed and some talented new faces."
    The Tigers' Wishbone offense will have a new quarterback but not one unfamiliar to the position.
    Moving from his all-conference spot as a defensive back to quarterback is senior Ryan Smith, 5-8, 160 pounds. It's a position familiar to Smith as he was a quarterback until moving to defense last year.
    "It's been like a refresher course for him," Schuchardt said. "He's doing a good job."
    The offensive backfield has some strength and speed.
    Senior Kevin Presley, 6-0, 238 pounds, has been moved from tight end to fullback for his size and strength. He had one start there in 2009 picking up 70 yards on 10 carries while Johnnie Boyd, 5-8, 192-pound, junior, had 158 yards and a touchdown in 2009. Sammy Ibrahim, 5-6, 170-pound junior, will get key runs in the Wishbone.
    Jared Shorey, 6-0, 182-pound senior halfback is a newcomer but has made some lasting impressions on the Tiger coaching staff.
    "He's as fast as anyone we've had back there for a long time," Schuchardt said.
    The offensive line has a mixture of size and experience.
    Senior Lane Howard, 5-11, 248-pounds, returns to anchor the offensive line at his center position.
    Competing for the tackle positions are Jay Johnson, 6-3, 376-pound senior; Carson Shepard, 6-4, 215-pound senior; Dylan Burke, 6-1, 234-pound junior; and Bryce Starkey, 6-4, 185-pound junior.
    The guards will be a mixture of Jade Wisdom, 5-10, 244 pound sophomore; Nathan Arnett, 5-9, 199 pounds, returning senior; and Ryan Moreland, 6-1, 215-pound junior.
    Morgan Jessen, 5-7, 147-pound junior; and Junior Rictor, 6-0, 157 pound junior, will share split end duties.
    Frankie Boyd, 6-1, 190-pound senior, is playing tight end. In 2009 he caught seven passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.
    The Tigers can also utilize Presley in the passing game after he caught five passes for 45 yards and a touchdown last year.
    Presley was the SCA's first team punter a year ago and handled the Tigers' kicking duties.
    Last year's defense allowed only 13 points a game, including two shutouts. Eight experienced players return from that defense.
    Those eight include:
    • Linebackers Justin Moore, 5-10, 207 pound junior, an all-SCA player with 60 tackles and nine assists a year ago; and Nathan Arnett, 5-9, 199-pound senior, who had 35 tackles and three assists a year ago.
    • Johnnie Boyd, noseguard, with 20 tackles and four assists in 2009.
    • Defensive linemen Presley, 27 tackles and one assist a year ago, and Carson Shepard, 6-4, 215 pound junior, defensive lineman with 24 tackles and 12 assists in 2009.
    • Secondary players, Frankie Boyd, Jared Patterson, 6-1, 165 pound senior; 12 tackles, nine assists; and Ben Adams, 5-10, 150-pound junior with seven tackles and one assist.
    In addition, the Tigers defense can put Tyler Wofford, 6-1, 205 pound, senior; and Joe Hernandez, 5-8, 196-pound junior at defensive end; Jonathan Hambacker, 6-2, 190-pound senior and Junior Rictor, 6-0, 157 pounds in the defensive backfield.
    The Tigers first seven games are all SCA games.
    The last three are district games with Owensville, St. James and School of the Osage to determine the district champion and runner-up. Both advance to the playoffs.
    School of the Osage replaces Sullivan in the district format. Sullivan moved to a Class 4 school.                       

Order these photos at The Salem News.

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SOFTBALL: Lady Tigers get first win, lose close game at Ava
       

The Salem Lady Tigers' softball team won its first game of the season Aug. 30 and was three outs away from making it two straight Aug. 31 against Ava, the two-time defending SCA champions.
    Salem beat St. James 11-9 Aug. 30 in a game moved to St. James because of Salem's wet field, then fell to Ava 14-13 in Ava Aug. 31. The Lady Tigers were leading 13-12 going into the bottom of the seventh at Ava.
    "It is hard to believe that you can hit five doubles, a triple and a home run and you still lose the game by one run," Coach Carey Davison said of the Ava game. "That is what makes this loss so hard to take. It was not because of a lack of effort on our part, we needed a break and it did not come."
    At Ava, Salem trailed 12-11 going into the top of the seventh inning.
    Salem responded when Samantha Parker walked, Leah Whelan singled and Sierra Hagler doubled for two runs and the lead.
    The Lady Bears then scored the game-winning runs in the bottom of the inning.
    "We played some of the best defense all year in the first five innings," Davison said. "Darian and Leah both had diving catches to keep the ball in the infield, Kaytlyn Wells made a diving catch and then threw out a runner at second for a double play. But a couple of errors let this win slip away in the bottom of the seventh. I just felt so bad for the girls as they played their hearts out and came up just short of a great win."
    Salem led 2-0 after the first inning, 7-4 after three and 9-6 after four innings. Mackenzie Wulff and Cortney Puttman doubled in the first inning. In the third, Salem scored five runs on five hits. Samantha Parker, Katy Vaughn, and Hagler singled while Putman doubled and Amber Kearby tripled.
    Parker had a home run to left field came in the fourth inning.
    • At St. James, with Salem being the home team, Salem took the early lead with seven runs in the first inning.
    Salem had nine hits, including an inside-the-park homerun from Cortney Putman and a double from Leah Whelan.
    Putman pitched all seven innings, striking out six and getting 11 groundouts.

JUNIOR VARSITY

The Salem junior varsity defeated Ava 12-5 Aug. 31 for its third straight win.
    Coach Carey Davison's team, 3-2-1, entered the Ava game after a 7-1 win Aug. 30 at St. James.
    In the St. James' game pitcher Elaina Goff did not allow a hit in four innings and struck out eight.
    "These girls show improvement every single game in some area of play," Davison said. "We are hitting the ball better and making better base running decisions."
    At Ava, Salem started with two runs in the first inning.
    Cheyenne Moore, Gabby Sanderson and Samantha Parker all singled followed by a double from Leah Whelan and a triple from Kaytlyn Wells.
    Starting pitcher Goff is 3-1 on the season.
    At St. James, Salem had three hits, singles by Goff, Darian Grogan and Sierra Hagler, and benefited from 10 St. James walks.

VARSITY SEASON IN REVIEW

LADY TIGERS OFF TO 0-4 START

The Salem Lady Tigers softball team lost to Vienna 11-0 Aug. 27 and 9-2 to Bakersfield Aug. 26 in the team's home opener. Salem was held to one hit at Vienna, a first-inning single by Samantha Parker. In the second inning Vienna loaded the bases with no outs. However, the Lady Tigers made some good plays and Vienna scored only one run. Salem's runs came in the seventh when Samantha Parker reached on an error and Darian Grogan singled, then both scored. In the same inning, Cortney Putman and Gabby Sanderson also singled.

LADY TIGERS FALL AT WAYNESVILLE

The Salem Lady Tigers lost to Waynesville 10-4 Aug. 24 at Waynesville. Waynesville led Salem 7-0 after three innings. In the fifth inning, Kaytlyn Wells, Darian Grogan and Courtney Putman scored for Salem. Leah Whelan doubled and scored in the sixth on an RBI single by Michala Kerr.

LADY TIGERS LOSE SEASON OPENER

The Salem Lady Tigers lost their opening game of the season 11-0 in five innings Aug. 23 in Newburg. Coach Carey Davison said Michala Kern did a good job on defense fielding three ground balls and throwing runners out at first, but there was not enough defense to hold the score down. Salem JV lost 9-1 in five innings.
       

Order these photos at The Salem News.

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VOLLEYBALL: Lady Tigers open with 2-0 win over St. James           

The Salem Lady Tigers started the season Aug. 31 at home with 15 team kills and eight service aces in a 2-0 win over St. James in a non-conference match in Salem.
    Coach Diana Bermudez team won game one 25-8 and game two 25-17.
    Game one was a match where Salem showed a lot of its firepower and the experience of a senior-dominated team. The team had several ace serves in game one.
    "It was a good first win of the season, the girls came out in the first game on fire," said Coach Bermudez.
    Game two was a little different in that Salem let up on its intensity, according to Coach Bermudez.
    "But we were successful in reading St. James' defense and directing our hitters to open areas of the court," the Salem coach said.
    St. James took a 1-0 lead in game one, but Salem quickly tied it and went ahead for good, 2-1, on Amy Huitt's kill. Salem then scored six of the next seven points.
    "We were able to effectively use all six hitters," Coach Bermudez said. "The setters were able to utilize all six due to excellent passing. Our front row blocking was able to key in on St. James and shut them down."
    Salem jumped out to a 4-0 lead in game two, expanded that early then held off St. James in the end.
    "We were trying different hits that were going out," said coach Bermudez. "Our passes weren't as crisp, bringing our setters way off the net. This caused too many sets to be set way off the net, so we couldn't run the offense the way we wanted."
    Match statistics
    Taylor Fry-2 kills, 1 service ace, 2 digs, 2 block assists, 3 passes; Alayna Sellers-4 kills, 2 assists, 1 service ace, 10 digs, 3 block assists, 7 passes; Amy Huitt-3 kills, 1 assist, 7 digs, 3 block assists, 4 passes; Rachel Arts-2 kills, 5 assists, 1 service ace, 2 digs; Kristy Bermudez-2 kills, 6 assists, 3 service aces, 6 digs, 1 pass; Jennifer Herndon-2 kills, 2 service aces, 3 digs, four block assists, 3 passes.

SENIOR-LADEN LADY TIGERS OPEN AUG. 31

by Dwayne McClellan
    Staff Writer
    newsstaff@earthlink.net

The expectations are high for the Salem Lady Tigers' volleyball team, with five of six starters returning and those five being seniors.
    Three of the five are all-SCA players.
    That group of experienced players will be out to improve on the Lady Tigers'12-13-2 overall record and 4-3 SCA mark of a year ago.
    "The talent is there, it all comes down to how much they want to win and injuries," said coach Diana Bermudez. "We need to stay healthy."
    The Lady Tigers held an intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 26 and opens the season Aug. 31 with a home match against St. James in non-conference action.
    "We were communicating well and our blocking and back row attacks were excellent," Bermudez said about the scrimmage.
    The Lady Tigers will be running a 6-2 offense instead of a 5-2. The main difference is that the 6-2 allows everybody to hit the ball with two setters. In the 5-2 there is one setter and five hitters.
    A look at the returning starters are:
    • Alayna Sellers, outside hitter, who was second on last year's team in kills (115), second in passes (220), third in digs (200), third in block assists (42), and had an 82 percent blocking rate. She was on the all-SCA honorable mention last year.
    "Alayna provides excellent back row defense and this year she is able to cut the ball more and go across court with her strong hitting," Coach Bermudez said.
    "She has excellent back row attacks."
    • Amy Huitt, outside hitter, who led the team in kills (139), was second in assists (26), tied for second in service aces (29), an 87 percent serving percentage, led the team in digs (236). She was second team all-SCA.
    "Her power has increased tremendously," Coach Bermudez said." She can hit well from the back row and front row."
    • Jennifer Herndon, middle hitter, was second in solo blocks (21) and block assists (50), third in kills (89) and third in serving percentage (89).
    "We'll be counting on Jennifer for some big hits," Bermudez said. "She's moving from the starting back row to the starting front row so we can get some points early. She has a lot of on court and player awareness of what is going on."
    • Kristy Bermudez led the team in assists, (305), service aces (33), serving percentage (95 percent); blocking percentage (93), tied for the fewest blocking errors (2) and was second in digs (216). She was a first-team all-SCA selection last year.
    "Kristy will have some dual roles in setting and hitting at the net," Coach Bermuez said. "She reads the court well and knows where to place the ball.
    • Taylor Fry, middle hitter. Fry led the team in solo blocks (34), block assists (63), was second in blocking percentage (93 percent), and tied for the team lead in fewest blocking errors (2)
    "Her vertical jump is out of this world and because of this she can dominate from the front with her blocking and the back with her hitting," Coach Bermudez said.
    Coach Bermudez said Fry's topspin on her serves is equally dangerous.
    Joining the six on the starting unit will be senior Rachel Arts, who is moving up from the junior varsity and has adapted well, Coach Bermudez said.
    "She has an excellent serve and is getting her hands up on her blocks," the coach said. "Because of her we can run a 6-2 offense with more hitters."
    Coach Bermudez said the bench has some capable players to step in when needed.
    She said junior Kayla Hemken, setter, right side; sophomores Ashley Crocker, outside hitter; Lydia Curley, middle hitter; and Sammy White, defensive specialist and freshmen Leah Curley, middle/right side; and Kristen Hemken, setter right side, each have their outstanding qualities.
    "The season will probably depend on the seniors, but we have a good group of talented younger players to help out and push the seniors," said Coach Bermudez.

Order these photos at The Salem News.

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TRACK: Lady Tigers improved as season progressed
                   

Although low in numbers, the Lady Tigers' track team placed fairly well in each of its meets, according to Coach Terrie Welch.
    Welch said the goal in the off-season is to increase the number of girls on the team. With increased numbers and virtually all the team returning next year, there is potential to be better.
    "With our numbers there were some events we didn't have anybody participating in," Welch said. "But it was good to see us place well in the meets. That was a good sign."
    The Lady Tigers were fourth in the SCA meet and had five all-SCA team selections and three honorable mention picks. Two, Jennifer Herndon and Amber Kearby, advanced to the sectional meet after placing in the top four at the district meet.
    That was a big improvement since only one Lady Tiger advanced to the sectional a year ago, Welch said.
    "Once thing that was good was that we saw a lot of improvement as the season progressed," Welch said. "I don't think anyone peaked too soon."
    At the SCA meet in Salem the Lady Tigers didn't win an event but had five second-place finishes, three thirds, two fourths, two fifths and a sixth-place finish. Salem was second in the triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus and 400-meter relay.
    Herndon had two of the second-place spots in the shot put and discus. Alayna Sellers was second in the high jump, and Crystal Prince was runner-up in the triple jump. Ashley Crocker, Sellers, Kristy Bermudez and Amber Kearby were second in the 400 relay.
    Taking third-place spots were Prince in the long jump, the 800-relay team of Crocker, Sellers, Bermudez and Prince, and Kearby in the shot put.
    At the district meet, Herndon and Kearby finished in the top four to qualify for the sectional meet. Herndon qualified in the shot put and discus while Kearby made it in the shot put.
           
HERNDON, KEARBY ADVANCE
           
    The Salem Lady Tigers track team will be sending two girls to Saturday's Class 3 sectional track meet in Marshfield.
    Jennifer Herndon and Amber Kearby, a pair of juniors, both qualified in the shot put. Herndon also qualified in the discus.
    The top four in each event at the district meet qualified for the sectional meet. The top four at sectional qualify for the Class 3 state meet May 28-29 in Jefferson City.
    Herndon and Kearby finished second and third in the shot put. Herndon had a 33-4 toss and Kearby had a 32-7 1/2. Herndon was third in the discus at 100-6. The winning throw in the shot put was a 37-2 by Bryanna Pierce, a junior, from St. Clair. In the discus, the winning throw was a 104-8 from Jeanne Tappe, a senior, from Union.
    The Lady Tigers finished 11th in the 16-team meet with 22 points.
    Sullivan won with 95.33 points, and Bolivar was second with 88. Jefferson City Helias was fourth with 87.5 points, followed by St. Francis Borgia 68, School of the Osage 60, Marshfield 54, Springfield Catholic 52, St. Clair 46, Union 38, Eldon 33, Salem, California 18.33, St. James 15.5, Buffalo seven and Versailles 2.33.
    In the high jump, Alayna Sellers finished seventh at 4-8.

PRINCE WINS TRIPLE JUMP WITH PERSONAL BEST

Jennifer Herndon won two events and Crystal Prince one Friday in a dual meet at School of the Osage.
    Osage won the meet.

LADY TIGERS WIN ONE EVENT AT STEELVILLE

The Lady Tigers track team had one first place, a second place and four third place finishes May 4 at Steelville.


        LADY TIGERS FOURTH IN SCA MEET

The Lady Tigers track team finished fourth in the May 3 SCA track meet held in Salem.
        Liberty won the meet with 125 points, while Willow Springs was second with 109 points. Mountain Grove was third with 106 points, followed by Salem 71 points, Ava 64, Houston 58 and Cabool 23. Thayer does not field a track team.
        The Lady Tigers did not win an event, but had five second-place finishes, three thirds, two fourths, two fifths and a sixth-place finish.
        Salem was second in the triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus and 400-meter relay.
        Jennifer Herndon had two of the second-place spots. She threw the shot put 35-8 1/2 feet and the discus 96-8. Liberty won the shot put at 39-9 1/2, while Willow Springs won the discus at 125-6.
        Alayna Sellers was second in the high jump at 4-8 and Crystal Prince was runner-up in the triple jump at 30-7. Prince was also third in the long jump at 14-4 1/4. Liberty won the long jump 14-9 and the triple jump at 32-5. Willow Springs won the high jump at 4-10.
        Ashley Crocker, Sellers, Kristy Bermudez and Amber Kearby were second in the 400 relay with a time of 1:55.50 minutes. Houston won with time of 54.67 seconds.
        Third place finishes were recorded by:
        • The 800 relay team of Crocker, Sellers, Bermudez and Prince with a time of 1:58.91. Ava won with a 1:55.83.
        • Kearby in the shot put at 34-9 1/2.


    LADY TIGERS WIN FOUR EVENTS

The Salem Lady Tigers' track team won four events on its way to a second-place finish at the April 26 Willow Springs Relays. First-place finishes were recorded from Crystal Prince, 30.11 feet in the triple jump; Alayna Sellers, 4-10 in the high jump; Amber Kearby, 34-9 in the shot put and Joy Malott, 7-6 in the pole vault. Jennifer Herndon was second in the shot put at 33-91/2 and third in the discus at 87-2.

SELLERS, PRINCE GET FIRSTS

The Salem Lady Tigers' track team was second April 26 at Willow Springs after finishing fourth April 22 at Mountain Grove. Willow Springs won its own meet April 26. At Mountain Grove, Alayna Sellers and Crystal Prince had Salem's two first place finishes. Sellers won the high jump at 4-10 feet and Prince won the triple jump at 30-7.5. Ashley Jadwin was second in the pole vault at 6-6.

LADY TIGERS SECOND AT CUBA APRIL 17

The Salem Lady Tigers' track team finished second April 17 in the 10-team Cuba Invitational.
        Cuba won with 174 points. Salem had 95 points, while third place Steelville had 90. The rest of the scoring was Viburnum 56, Vienna 45, St. James 42, Arcadia Valley 33, New Haven 10, Bourbon six and Dixon two.
        The Lady Tigers had one-two finishes in the shot put and pole vault and took second in three relay events.
        Jennifer Herndon won the shot put with a throw of 33 feet, seven inches, while Amber Kearby was second at 32-5. Herndon was second in the discus at 98-5.

LADY TIGERS FIFTH IN SALEM RELAYS

The Salem Lady Tigers track team finished fifth in the April 13 Salem Relays with 51.6 points.
        Cuba won the 15-team meet with 94 points, while Liberty was second with 89 and Willow Springs third with 67.5. Waynesville was fourth with 54 points followed by Salem, Mountain Grove 44, Houston 35, Licking 27.6, Rolla 27, Steelville 25.6, Newburg 14, Cabool 12.6, Plato 9.2 and Viburnum seven. Bourbon did not score.

LADY TIGERS THIRD IN SULLIVAN

The Salem Lady Tigers' track team finished third in the six-team Sullivan Quad meet April 8. Salem's top individual performances were two, second-place finishes from Crystal Prince and Jennifer Herndon. Prince finished second in the 400 meters at 1:10.09. Herndon was second in the shot put at 33-9 1/2 feet and in the discuss at 90-8 feet.

LADY TIGERS THIRD IN RELAYS

The Salem Lady Tigers took third in the Liberty Relays April 6. The first place was from the 400-shuttle hurdle relay team in 1 minute, 14.1 seconds. It was a co-ed team of Alayna Sellers, Kristy Bermudez, Frankie Boyd and Stetson Hanning.

HERNDON TAKES FIRST IN SHOT

Jennifer Herndon was the lone first-place finisher for the Salem Lady Tigers' track team in March 30's Salem Open. Herndon, a junior, won the shot put with a throw of 34 feet, 11 inches. She is now 3-0 in the shot put after winning the event at Rolla and Cuba. Herndon was third in the discus at 88 feet. Salem took third overall in the meet.

LADY TIGERS THIRD AT CUBA

The Salem Lady Tigers' track team finished third in the eight-team Cuba Relays March 30. Cuba won the meet with 195.2 points. Vienna was second with 90.2 points, while Salem had 78 points. Steelville was fourth with 48 points, followed by Grandview R-2 37, Viburnum 33, Arcadia Valley 23.6 and Bourbon four points.

HERNDON, PRINCE WIN TWO EVENTS IN OPENER

Jennifer Herndon and Crystal Prince both won two individual events in the Salem Lady Tigers' season-opening track meet March 22 in Rolla. Salem finished second to Rolla in a two-team meet. It was the season opener for both teams. Herndon won the shot put at 29 feet, two inches and the discus at 100 feet. Herndon and Amber Kearby tied for first place, but Herndon won in a tiebreaker. Prince won the 400 meters with a time of 1:12 and the triple jump at 29-8.

Stellar season included nine-meet win streak

The Tiger track team had one of its most successful seasons in years, winning the SCA championship by 55 points, taking the top spot in nine straight meets and having a school record set in the 100 meters.
   Coach Bill Schuchardt said the team got better as the season progressed, and all the times were competitive. He said that improvement could be attributed to the makeup of the team.
   "We had a good group who worked hard and competed hard," Schuchardt said.
    Schuchardt said the team graduated only two seniors, Derek Freeman and Anthony Jarvis, so next year looks promising as well.
  Freeman broke the 100-meter record twice, Schuchardt said. He first broke the record with a 10.72-second time in the first home meet of the season, then broke that time with a 10.72. He was undefeated in both the 100 and 200.
  Junior Stetson Hanning led the Tigers in total points for the season with 293.75. Patterson was second with 248.5, Freeman third with 233.75, Kettner fourth at 200.25, Stone Chen fifth at 198.75 and Johnnie Boyd sixth at 187.25.
   Others and their point totals were Kevin Presley 70.5, Morgan Henderson 69.5, Dex West 59.25, Anthony Jarvis 50.25, Alex Bay 46.5; Jr. Rictor 46.25 Brad Cook 40.5, Mitch Lo 23, Jon Wilson 18, Sammy Ibrahim 15 and Pryor eight.
    Salem started the season with a second-place finish in a dual meet at Rolla. The Tigers then won nine straight meets, many of them by large margins. The run was capped off with the SCA title.
  In the SCA championship Salem finished with 171 points to win its first conference title since 2005, when both the boys and girls' teams won. The Tigers led from start to finish.
   The Tigers' Big Four (a name Schuchardt gave to Freeman, Stetson Hanning, Jared Patterson and Jacob Kettner) combined to win seven events. Hanning led all scorers with 32 points.
    "We had some good, quality first-place finishes and our depth gave us a lot of points," Schuchardt aid.
    In the SCA meet, Hanning won the pole vault for the second straight season, won the 110-meter hurdles, was second in the high jump and fourth in the long jump.
    Freeman won the 100 and 200, the second straight year to win the 100. Patterson won the 800 and 1,600; Kettner won the triple jump and was second in the 400.
   The season continued through the district meet where five qualified in six events for the sectionals.
   Extending their season were Patterson in the 800 and 1,600 meters, Hanning in the pole vault, Presley in the discus, Kettner in the triple jump and Chen in the long jump.
   The top four in each event at the district meet qualified for the sectional meet. The top four at Marshfield advanced to the state meet May 28-29 in Jefferson City. No Tiger advanced to the state meet.

FIVE QUALIFY FOR SECTIONAL

At the district track meet in Union, the Salem Tigers track team qualified five people in six events for Saturday's Class 3 sectional track meet in Marshfield.
    Extending their season were Jared Patterson in the 800 and 1,600 meters, Stetson Hanning in the pole vault, Kevin Presley in the discus, Jacob Kettner in the triple jump and Stone Chen in the long jump.
   The top four in each event at the district meet qualified for the sectional meet. The top four at Marshfield advance to the state meet May 28-29 in Jefferson City.
     Salem's Derek Freeman, who had been undefeated in the 100 and 200, scratched and did not participate in the district track meet.
    Patterson advanced by winning the 800 in 2 minutes, 03.18 seconds, and the 1,600 in 4.32.41. His time in the 800 was just over four seconds better than the second place time of Uriah Heady of Sullivan. Patterson won the 1,600 by approximately nine seconds over Heady.
    Hanning finished fourth in the pole vault with a jump of 12 foot, losing out on a higher finish in a tiebreaker. He was eighth in the 110-meter hurdles.
    Presley was fourth in the shot put at 123-03 feet. The winning throw was a 136 by Ross Groeke of Union. Jordan Byrd, School of the Osage, was second at 133-3.
     In the triple jump, Kettner was fourth with a jump of 40-0.25.
    Chen was the fourth qualifier with a third-place finish in the long jump at 19-10.75. He finished behind Kettner in the triple jump in fifth place with a jump of 39-11 1/2.
   Salem finished eighth with 46 points.
  Jefferson City Helias won with 121 points, and Bolivar was second at 79.5 points. School of the Osage was third with 77 points, followed by Sullivan 70, St. Clair 63, Owensville 58, Union 49, Salem, Buffalo 31.5, Springfield Catholic 30, and St. Francis Borgia 25, Marshfield 24.5, California 14, Versailles six, Eldon 4.5 and St. James three.

FREEMAN, PATTERSON REMAIN UNDEFEATED

Salem's Derek Freeman and Jared Patterson continued unbeaten streaks in Friday's dual meet at School of the Osage.
    Osage won the meet with 74 points. Salem recorded 57 points.
    The Tigers are off until the Class 3 District Saturday in Union. The top four individuals in each event advance to the Class 3 sectional meet May 22.

PARTIAL SQUAD TAKES PART IN STEELVILLE MEET

The Tigers' track team had three first place finishes, two seconds and four thirds May 4 at Steelville.
     Team scores were not available, but Salem was in second when it left the meet. Coach Bill Schuchardt said the team did not take a full squad and not everybody ran in all of their usual events.

TIGERS SCA CHAMPIONS, WIN BY 55 POINTS

After winning nine straight track meets, most by large margins, the Tigers track team was considered a favorite for the May 3 SCA meet in Salem.
    The Tigers didn't disappoint, leading from start to finish and capturing the SCA championship by 55 points over its nearest rival.
    "We had some good quality first-place finishes and our depth gave us a lot of points," said Coach Bill Schuchardt "We have a good group who work hard and compete hard."
    Salem finished with 171 points, while Liberty was second with 116 points. Ava was third with 105 points, Mountain Grove fourth with 91 followed by Houston 25, Willow Springs 24 and Cabool 20. Thayer does not field a track team.
   It was a reversal from 2009 when Liberty was first and Salem second.
    It was the Tigers first SCA track title since 2005 when they captured both the boys and girls championships. It's only the second SCA track crown in the school's history.
    The Tigers' Big Four (a name Schuchardt gave to Derek Freeman, Stetson Hanning, Jared Patterson and Jacob Kettner) combined to win seven events. Hanning led all scorers with 32 points.
     Hanning won the pole vault for the second straight year by clearing 12 feet. The junior also won the 110 hurdles in 16.01 seconds, winning over teammate Frankie Boyd, who had a 16.71, took second in the high jump at 5-6 and fourth in the long jump at 18-8.
     Boyd went on to take second in the 300 hurdles at 43.90.
     Freeman continued his unbeaten streak in the 100 and 200. He won the 100 for the second straight year, with a time of 10.91. He later won the 200 in 22.37.
     Patterson won the 1,600 in 4:52.6 and the 800 in 2:03.4.
     Kettner won the triple jump at 40-3 and was second in the 400 in 53.75, barely losing to Liberty's 52.93.
     The Tigers picked up first- and second-place points in the triple jump. Behind Kettner's winning jump was Stone Chen at 39-2 3/4.
     In the relays, Salem was second in the 400, 800 and 1,600 and third in the 3,200.
     Morgan Henderson, Mitch Lo, Dex West and Chen took second in the 800 with a time of 1:40.5. In the 400 relay, Henderson, Boyd, West and Freeman were runners up with a 45.37. Mountain Grove won a close relay with a time of 44.83. In the 1,600 relay Anthony Jarvis, Rictor, Freeman and Kettner were second with a 3:40.7
     Brad Cook, Junior Rictor, Kettner and Patterson were third with a 9:10.4 in the 3,200 relay.
     Kevin Presley was third in the discus at 128-5.

TIGERS CONTINUE RUN

The Salem Tigers' track team made it nine straight wins by winning the Willow Springs Invitational April 26 and the Mountain Grove Invitational. Senior Derek Freeman continued his unbeaten ways in the 100-meter and 200. At Willow Springs he had a time of 11.18 seconds in the 100 and a 22.84 in the 200. At Mountain Grove, he had a 10.89 in the 100 and a 22.53 in the 200. Jared Patterson won the 800 in 2.07.14 minutes and the 1,600 in 4:45 at Mountain Grove. However, his unbeaten streak in those events ended April 26. The junior was third in the 1,600 at 5:10.75. Jacob Kettner was the Tigers' top finisher in the 800 at 2:10.95.

TIGERS GET SIXTH STRAIGHT WIN AT CUBA APRIL 17

Another track meet, another first place finish for the Salem Tigers' track team.
    This time it was the Cuba Invitational April 17 where the Tigers won their sixth straight with 173 points. It was a 57.5-point victory margin over second-place Cuba with 115.5 points. Steelville was third with 91 points, followed by New Haven 48.5, Arcadia Valley 40, Vienna 34, St. James 33, Dixon 31, Bourbon 26 and Viburnum seven.

TIGERS CLAIM SALEM RELAYS


    The Salem Tigers keep rolling along, winning the April 13 Salem Relays by 68 points. It was the fifth straight meet win for the Tigers. Salem won 10 of the 16 events Tuesday and finished with 156 points. Second-place Liberty had 88 points, while Newburg was third with 52. Cuba had 41.5, Mountain Grove 37, Plato 33, Licking 26, Waynesville 25, Houston 23, Steelville 18.5, Bourbon 16, Cabool 14, Rolla 14, Viburnum 11 and Willow Springs three. Salem won four of the five running events, three of four relays and three of seven field events.

TIGERS WIN SULLIVAN MEET

The Salem Tigers track team took six first-place finishes and won the Sullivan Quad Track meet April 8. Salem had 147 points to win by 20 over second place St. Clair's 127 points. Steelville was third with 94 points, Sullivan and Pacific both had 88 points and Viburnum five. Derek Freeman and Jared Patterson continued their unbeaten streaks in their respective events. The Tigers won the 3,200-meter relay and finished one-two in the discus and triple jump. Freeman won the 100 in 11.05 seconds, three-tenths of a second better than second place Andrew Decker of St. Clair. The senior then won the 200 at 22.36. Patterson won the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 53.70 seconds and the 800 in 2:06.67.

TIGERS WIN LIBERTY RELAYS

The Salem Tigers won their third straight track meet April 6 at the Liberty Relays. Salem finished with 115 points, while Liberty was second with 104. Ava was third with 72 points, followed by Mountain Grove 61, Plato 50, Willow Springs 41, Cabool 34, Houston 27, Gainesville five and Bakersfield two. The meet April 6 was all relays with no individual events. Jacob Kettner led the individual scoring with 12.5 points. Stetson Hanning had 12 and Stone Chen 11. Sixteen different Tigers scored points.

TIGERS WIN SALEM OPEN, FREEMAN GETS SCHOOL RECORD IN 100

Derek Freeman, Jared Patterson and Stetson Hanning continued unbeaten streaks March 30 as the Tigers' track team won the Salem Open. In winning their second straight meet, the Tigers picked up 191 points in a six-team meet. Second place Rolla had 160 points and Mountain Grove was third with 92 points. Cabool was fourth with 41 points, followed by Houston with 27 and Licking with 20.

TIGERS GET NINE FIRST-PLACE FINISHES TO WIN CUBA RELAYS

The Salem Tigers' track team won nine events on its way to winning the Cuba Relays March 30. The Tigers finished with 162 points to win, with second-place Steelville recording 115.5 points. Vienna was third at 92 points, followed by Arcadia Valley 52 points, Cuba 52 points, Grandview R-2 23 points, Bourbon 17 and Viburnum nine.

FREEMAN SETS SCHOOL RECORD IN 100 METERS

Salem's Derek Freeman won the 100-meter dash and set a school record in the process March 22 in the season-opening track meet at Rolla. Freeman and Jared Patterson each finished with 11 1/2 points to lead the Tigers in scoring. As a team Salem finished second to Rolla in a two-team meet. Rolla had 77 points, while Salem had 69. The Tigers won 10 of the 17 events, took second in five events and had three, third-place finishes.
               

Order these photos at The Salem News.

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