Men's team tries to join women's in top echelon

The Redhawks women were third in the OVC last year, while the men are coming off a sixth-place finish.

Unlike past seasons, third-year coach Eric Heins has high hopes for both Southeast Missouri State cross county teams in 2005.

While Southeast's women have annually ranked among the Ohio Valley Conference's top squads, the men lately have finished around the middle of the pack.

But this year Heins, whose teams open the season Saturday at the Memphis Twilight Classic, will be looking for high OVC finishes from both units when the conference meet is contested in late October.

"This is the best guys group we've had in a long time," said Heins, whose program hosts the annual Southeast Invitational on Oct. 22 at Capaha Park, one week before the OVC meet takes place in Charleston, Ill. "I think both teams can do well.

"It's always been tough if you go to a meet and the girls run well and the guys not so well. You have to try and keep everybody up. But this year I think both can succeed and do well at most meets."

Southeast's women, who have finished second in the OVC eight times in the last 13 years, are coming off consecutive third-place performances.

Heins said beating out defending OVC women's champion Samford will be difficult. "But I think we can definitely be in the top three and challenge for second," he said.

The Redhawks will no doubt be bolstered by the return of junior Lindsay Zeiler, the OVC champion as a freshman in 2002. Zeiler has missed the past two cross country seasons with stress fractures, but she recovered both years to excel in track.

"We're going to try our best to keep Lindsay healthy," Heins said. "Having her back will really help us."

Senior Jen Caywood returns as the Redhawks' top runner from last year, when she placed ninth in the OVC meet.

Heins looks for freshman Amy Warren, a decorated high school runner from Ohio, to also be among Southeast's top performers.

"With those three, we'll be very strong at the top," Heins said. "That's going to be the key to how good we are, how far up and close together they can finish."

Also back is sophomore Sarah Verelst, who finished 31st in the 2004 OVC meet.

Heins is also counting on contributions from freshmen Brittni Peck, Juli Koenegstein and Hannah Korte.

Southeast's men finished sixth in the OVC last season, after a fifth-place showing in 2003. Heins expects much more this year.

"We're shooting for the top three," Heins said. "That would be a big jump, but I think it's pretty realistic."

The Redhawks' top returning runner is senior Gabe Lutes, who led the squad with a 12th-place finish at last season's OVC meet.

Heins also expects big things from sophomore Kevin McNab and junior Kirk Nesbit, who were 31st and 44th in the OVC a year ago.

"Kevin didn't have a great cross country season last year, but he came on strong during outdoor track and I think he'll be able to run well in just about every meet," Heins said. "Those three look pretty strong."

Also returning are sophomore Brandon Karcher, junior Brad DeMattei and sophomore Danny Stults, who were 28th, 32nd and 39th at last year's OVC meet.

Sophomore Mark McNamara returns to the squad after competing two years ago, while newcomers are junior walk-on Chris Herron and freshman walk-on Cory Huskey from Central High School.

Heins said that, although Huskey might not be in the Redhawks' regular rotation right away, he could be a runner to watch for the future.