By TANNER KENT ~ DAR Sports Writer

Former Poplar Bluff standout track and field athlete LaRita Hawes has made some big leaps since joining Poplar Bluff's AAU track and field team at the age of 9.

There was her leap of 37 feet, 3 3/4 inches in the 1981 high school state track meet's triple jump that was good for fourth place in Class 4A.

And her leap of 18-6 in the long jump in during the same meet netted her a third-place finish.

And then, of course, was Hawes leap to Southeast Missouri State University, where her personal records in the long jump and 100-meter hurdles still rank among the top-10 results in SEMO track history.

It's safe to say Hawes has come a long way from the little girl who was jumping all the ditches in eastern Butler County and dominating the local youth track and field scene. In fact, she has leaped right into the Poplar Bluff Hall of Fame.

"It feels great," Hawes said of her induction. "I'm really excited about this award."

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