KELTNER GETS TO RUN AGAINST OLYMPIANS

Southeast Missouri State University track and field coach Joey Haines considers it a fitting honor that Heather Keltner will get to compete against two Olympic champions this weekend.

Keltner, a three-time Ohio Valley Conference 400-meter champion, has been selected to participate in the invitational 400-meters at the prestigious Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.

The eight-women field will include two members of the United States Olympic gold-medal winning 4x400 relay team and some of the nation's top collegiate runners.

Keltner, who has a best time of 54.16, will face the standout competition Saturday when Drake officials expect a 34th consecutive sellout crowd of over 18,000.

"This is a big opportunity for Heather and it's one she deserves," said Haines. "She is a tremendous runner and now she'll get to compete against two of the top runners in the world. Hopefully the weather will be good so everybody can run their best."

Haines is hopeful that Keltner, who was the top collegiate finisher at the recent Sea Ray Relays at the University of Tennessee, will eventually qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

"She's close to meeting the standard and we're hoping she can get there," Haines said. "We feel like she's got a good chance."

Other Southeast entries at Drake include Tammy Wenkel in the 800-meters, Jennifer Leaman in the pole vault, Lutricia Purham in the shot put and discus and Glenn Haley in the 400-meter hurdles.

Purham is clearly Southeast's best bet to make the NCAA field later in the season. She has met the qualifying standard with a throw of 50 feet 9 inches and is ranked 10th nationally. She has to end the season ranked among the top 21 or 22 throwers in order to compete at nationals.

"Lutricia is really looking good (for the NCAA meet)," said Haines. "That mark (50-9) has been anywhere from 12th to 15th most years. You never know what will happen any year, but based on what's happened recently, she should make it."

Southeast will also enter several relays at Drake, including the women's sprint medley and 4x200, and the men's sprint medley and 4x400.

The women's sprint medley relay team has been second at Drake the past two seasons and should again contend for the top spot. Natalie Talley, Shauna Birge, Keltner and Wenkel make up the squad while Talley, Birge and Keltner will be joined by Kim Stewart in the 4x200.

Jarod Rybacki, Derrick Brown, Jason Campbell and Tyson Brown will run on the men's sprint medley team while Rybacki, Campbell and Tyson Brown will be joined by Haley on the 4x400 relay.

"We're excited about all four relays," said Haines. "It's the first time we've had men's relays (at Drake) in a couple of years."