INDIANS OPEN DEFENSE OF OVC INDOOR TRACK TITLE

Southeast Missouri State University track and field coach Joey Haines believes his women's team has an excellent shot at winning its first Ohio Valley Conference indoor championship this weekend at Eastern Illinois University.

The Southeast women have been second in the last two OVC indoor meets and Haines feels this could be the year the Otahkians claim the title. The meet will take place today and Saturday in Charleston, Ill.

"We have some outstanding individuals on our women's team and we have good team depth," said Haines. "It will be a battle between Southeast, Eastern Kentucky and Middle Tennessee for the title. We just need to perform the way we are capable and we should be in a position to win."

Haines feels his young men's team should be in the running for a spot in the top four. Last year, a veteran Southeast men's squad claimed both the OVC indoor and outdoor titles.

Leading the way for the Southeast women will be defending high jump champion Heather Fisher, who has been consistently over 5 feet 6 inches in meets this year. She won last year at that height.

Other Southeast entries with a chance to win individual titles are Jennifer Phillips and Denise Ford in the shot put; Yvonne Hente in the 400; Tammy Wenkel in the 800; Shannon O'Dell in the hurdles; Janelle Quigley in the mile and 3,000; Shauna Birge in the 55 and 200; and Heather Denihan in the long jump. The relay teams should also contend for titles.

Southeast's men's team has two defending champions: Matt Gaylor in the shot put and Tim Davis in the pole vault. They will again be favored this year, with stiff competition from teammates Bryan Alfultis in the shot and Chris Prescott and Chris Moore in the pole vault.

Other Southeast men who should contend for individual titles include DeWayne Johnson in the 55 and 200 and Brock Alspaugh in the 800.

"I think Middle Tennessee and Eastern Illinois will battle for the team title in the men's competition," Haines said. "I think we will battle Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee State for the third and fourth positions."