CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS SET FOR 1997 OPENER

Coach Joey Haines expects Southeast Missouri State University's cross country teams to once again be factors in the Ohio Valley Conference this season.

"Our goal every year is to do well in the OVC meet," said Haines. "We're looking for both our teams to be very competitive again."

Southeast, which opens the 1997 season Friday at the Memphis Invitational, finished second in last year's OVC women's meet. Southeast's men's were fifth in the conference.

"Our women have been second behind Eastern Kentucky about the last four years," said Haines. "Eastern Kentucky really puts a lot of emphasis on cross country and they're tough to beat. But I expect our women to be very good again. I'm really excited about this group."

Five veteran runners return to lead the Otahkians, including twin sisters Sherry and Terry Lange out of Jackson High. Sherry was third in last year's OVC meet.

"This is their fourth year in our program but they're both healthy at the same time for the first time since they were freshmen," Haines said. "We're looking for good things out of them."

Junior Janelle Quigley has had two strong seasons in a row and fellow junior Keisha Grace earned all-OVC honors at the conference meet last year while senior Estelle McHargue and sophomore Leslie McNamara also return.

The Otahkians are also bolstered by two blue-chip freshmen. Celeste Ramsey out of Perryville High captured the Missouri Class 3A state cross country title last year while Jessica Sefzik was third in the Nebraska large-school state meet.

"We're not going to push them, but they're two really promising runners," said Haines.

Another new runner for the Otahkians will be Tammy Wenkel, a freshman sensation for the Otahkians in track last season.

On the men's side, Haines is looking for the Indians to continue building and remain in the OVC's upper division.

"We want to be in the first division again and maybe even move up a spot or two," he said.

The Indians return two key runners in senior Erin Roades and junior Ron Wagner.

Roades redshirted last year in cross country while he did his student teaching but was third in the 10,000-meters at the OVC outdoor track meet. Wagner was last year's top runner as he placed 17th at the OVC meet.

"Both of them have been working real hard and should have good seasons," Haines said.

Sophomore Tye DeCramer out of Cape Central lettered last year while sophomore Aaron Wade from Kelly also ran in some cross country meets in addition to having a strong track season.

Haines will also be counting on freshmen Ryan Layton (Perryville), Travis Schiwitz (Kelly), Ben McArthur and Brock Alspaugh.

Layton was the Missouri Class 3A state runnerup for Perryville last year while Schiwitz competed for Kelly's Class 1A-2A state championship team.

Southeast has five meets scheduled -- including a home meet on Oct. 18 -- leading up to the OVC Championships on Nov. 1 in Nashville, Tenn.