Southeast settles for runner-up finishes

While windy conditions did not make it an ideal day for short and middle distance runners, Southeast Missouri State's men had few problems, putting on a dominating performance Saturday at the 24th annual Gatorade Classic at the Abe Stuber Track and Field Complex.

The Redhawks picked up individual wins from Tim Jefferson in the 200 meters (21.9 seconds), Miles Smith in the 400, Alonzo Nelson in the 400 hurdles, and they also won both the 400 (40.7) and 1,600 relays. In addition, Chaz Brown finished second in the 800, and Jefferson placed third in the 100.

"On the track, we pretty much did everything we could," Southeast coach Joey Haines said.

Indiana State cruised to the men's team title with 182 points. Southeast finished second with 142, and Southern Illinois was third with 119.

"We had a really good meet on the men's side," Haines said. "They just have more people than us."

Illinois State won on the women's side with 155 points. Southeast was second with 133.

Indiana State also won the combined standings with 290 points, while Southeast was second with 275.

"I didn't think we would win the women without Heather Jenkins and Lindsay Zeiler and with LaQuita Andrews not quite well yet. I'm proud the women got second," Haines said.

Smith in the 400 and Nelson in the 400 hurdles both had dominating performances. Smith, who qualified for the NCAA national indoor meet in the 400 during the winter, beat the competition by more than two seconds with a 46.76.

"Miles is special," Haines said. "He was just striding today. He never opened it up."

Nelson finished more than a second better than the field with a 52.92 in the 400 hurdles.

"It was good considering the weather," Nelson said. "I had a strong headwind. I'm pretty pleased with my time. ... I'm on pace to run really well, a whole lot better than last year."

Nelson and Smith also ran on the 1,600 relay team, which just missed out on a regional qualifying time and beat the field by more than three seconds in a time of 3:10.77. Brown and Chris Poindexter ran the other two legs.

Jon Jefferson, Tim Jefferson, Smith and Poindexter made up the winning 400 relay team.

Jason Theodorakos was second in the javelin, and Andrew Lambert finished second in the long jump.

Brooke Woodruff and LaQuita Andrews were the only two individual women's winners for Southeast on Saturday, finishing first in the 800 (2:12.12) and 400 (57.13), respectively. Jen Burke finished second to Woodruff in the 800, Michele Jett was second in the pole vault, Colleen Burke was second in the 3,000 steeplechase, and Kathy Coleman was third in the long jump.