Jackson defender among 6 seniors signed by Otahks

Jackson High School senior Erin Hartmann has been a big fan of Southeast Missouri State University women's soccer since the program was started three years ago.

Hartmann particularly got caught up in the excitement of last season when the Otahkians went 16-2 and won their first Ohio Valley Conference championship.

"I went to as many games as I could," she said. "It was neat to see how far they've come."

And now Hartmann will get to have a hand in the Southeast program after she recently signed a letter of intent with the Otahkians.

"I'm very excited. I really wanted to go there for a while," Hartmann said.

Hartmann, a defender, earned all-conference and all-district honors last year as a junior, when she also made honorable-mention all-state. She'll play her senior season in the spring.

"Erin has great athleticism, in particular speed and ball-winning ability," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said. "She is a difficult defender to beat one-on-one and will add depth to our strong defensive unit."

At Southeast, Hartmann will join former Jackson teammate Julie Wunderlich, who completed her sophomore season with the Otahkians last fall.

"She's one of my good friends and it will be fun playing with her," Hartmann said.

Hartmann is one of six high school seniors, along with a transfer, that make up Nelson's recruiting class for the 2002 season.

Other high school players signed are midfielders Jamie Derleth, Ashley DeRoy and Megan Hejlek; defender Mary Kalinowski; and goalkeeper Lauren Fabbro. All are from the St. Louis area except for Fabbro, who is from Carmel, Ind.

The transfer is goalkeeper Amanda Wzros from Eastern Michigan, who will be a sophomore in eligibility. Wzros is a native of Hoffman Estates, Ill.

mmishow@semissourian.com

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