LOSS OF WENKEL HURT OTAHK RUNNERS

Without standout middle distance runner Tammy Wenkel in the lineup, Southeast Missouri State University track and field coach Joey Haines knew it would be a real challenge for his women's team to win a third straight Ohio Valley Conference indoor title.

And that was exactly the case over the weekend in Charleston, Ill., as the Otahkians finished second out of 10 teams with 85 points. Eastern Kentucky won the meet with 109.5 points.

Wenkel, who figured to score strong in a variety of events after a big season last year, is being redshirted during the indoor campaign because of an injury.

Still, the Otahkians and Indians -- who placed a solid third with 83 points for their highest finish in a few years -- came up with a host of impressive individual performances.

Heather Keltner led the way for the Otahkians by winning two events. She defended her OVC indoor title in the 400-meters (55.6 seconds) and also captured the 200-meters (24.9).

Lutricia Purham won the shot put (48-4 3/4) while Southeast's medley relay team of Jessie Thompson, Hannah Stuckenschneider, Laura Van Hoevelack and Janelle Quigley prevailed (12:25.16).

Shauna Birge was second in the 55 (7.1) and third in the 200 (25.2); Quigley was third in the 3,000 (10:24.2) and fourth in the mile (5:08.98); former Kelly High standout Amy Arteme placed fourth in the 5,000 (17.57.13) and sixth in the 3,000 (10:30)

The Otahkians' mile relay team of Stuckenschneider, Van Hoevelack, Kim Stewart and Keltner was fifth (4:00.69).

Placing eighth were Stuckenschneider in the 400 (59.41) and Leslie McNamara in both the 5,000 (18:30.44) and 3,000 (10:48.7).

On the men's side, Southeast had no champions but a trio of second-place finishers.

Jaret Willi claimed second in the pole vault (16-2 3/4), just ahead of two teammates. Jim Fox was third (15-9) and Chris Moore fourth (15-3). Fox and Moore are both former Cape Central High standouts.

Eugene Staten placed second in the long jump (23-2).

Bryan Alfultis was second in the shot put (51-5), just ahead of teammate Brandon Myer (51-3), who finished third.

Derrick Brown was third in the 55 (6.4) and fifth in the 200 (22.19).

Placing fourth were Garvin Ambrose in the high jump (6-7) and Glenn Haley in the 55 hurdles (7.63); fifth were Donovan Collier in the triple jump (46-1 1/2) and Chris Donze in the long jump (22-1 1/2); and Ryan Layton of Perryville was seventh in the mile (4:29.99).

Two Southeast relay teams placed. The mile squad of Jason Campbell, Tyson Brown (Perryville), Haley and Jarod Rybackie was third (3:24.41) while the distance medley group of Adam Shupe, Mike Dickey, Jeff Engebretson and Layton was fourth (11:04.41).