JACKSON'S LOVE TO RUN HURDLES AT SOUTHEAST

The thought of getting to run track in college and help get her education paid for in the process certainly appeals to Jennifer Love, who recently signed a letter of intent with Southeast Missouri State University.

"I'm excited," said the 2000 Jackson High School graduate. "I'll get to continue my track career and it will also pay for my education."

Love was one of the area's premier hurdlers the past two seasons and she capped her impressive high school career this year by qualifying for the Class 4A state meet in both the 100-meter high hurdles and the 300-meter low hurdles. She also participated on Jackson's 4x400-meter relay team that made it to state.

As a junior, Love competed in the state meet in the 300 low hurdles.

"I like both (hurdles), but I think my best event is the 300," she said.

Southeast track and field coach Joey Haines is excited that Love will be joining his program.

"Jennifer really did a good job for Jackson this year and we're happy that she decided to run for us," he said. "She's really kind of a late bloomer in track. She really improved from her junior to senior year in high school and we're really high on her ability.

"We're going to use her as a hurdler and we think she'll do a good job for us."

Love, who is undecided on a major, said Southeast started recruiting her after this year's SEMO Conference meet and she's happy to be joining a program that has produced the premier women's team in the Ohio Valley Conference over the past few seasons.

"I know their team has done really well and they've had a lot of very good athletes," she said. "I'm looking forward to being on a good team like that."