OTAHK RUNNERS MAKE STRIDES IN REGION RANKINGS

Southeast Missouri State University's women's cross country team is once again drawing considerable attention across the Midwest this season.

The Otahkians are ranked 10th out of 35 squads in this week's Midwest Region rankings.

Thirty-five teams are included in the Midwest Region, including many of the Big 12 Conference and Big 10 Conference squads.

"It's a nice honor for our program and hopefully we can continue to do well and move up in the rankings," said Southeast coach Joey Haines.

The Otahkians were also one of the region's top teams last year, when they finished seventh in the Midwest Regional meet.

Kansas State is ranked first in the region, followed by Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Southern Illinois, Northwestern, Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Bradley and Southeast.

Southeast's women and men will both compete Saturday in the Southern Illinois Saluki Invitational in Carbondale.

"Southern Illinois should be favored in both meets, but I really think our women will give them a good race," Haines said. "We finished second behind SIU in Carbondale about a month ago and I think we have continued to improve."

Volleyball at home tonight

Southeast's volleyball team will continue its three-match Ohio Valley Conference homestand tonight when Eastern Kentucky visits Houck Field House for a 7 o'clock match.

The Otahkians will also be at Houck Saturday when they take on Morehead State at 1 p.m.

Southeast, 9-5 overall and 2-1 in OVC play, rolled past Tennessee-Martin in three games Tuesday night. The Otahkians also figure to have their way this weekend against Eastern Kentucky (4-10, 1-3) and Morehead State (2-13, 1-3).

"We know these aren't some of the better teams in the OVC, but we can't take anybody lightly," said Southeast coach Cindy Gannon. "We have to take care of business at home."

Soccer hosts match Sunday

Still chasing its first win, Southeast's first-year women's soccer team will host Morehead State Sunday in a 1 p.m. OVC contest at the Sprigg Street Field.

The Otahkians, 0-5-1 overall and 0-0-1 in OVC play, got close to victory last Sunday when they tied Middle Tennessee 1-1 in their league opener.

Sunday's game with Morehead State (1-8, 0-1) will be Southeast's first home contest of the regular season.