OTAHKIANS CAPTURE OVC TITLE

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - Southeast Missouri State University became the first school in OVC history to win four straight women's all-sports titles after nipping Eastern Kentucky by one point for the 1997-98 championship.

The honor, which is a symbol of overall athletic excellence in conference-sponsored championships, was announced Monday.

The Otahkians used conference championships in volleyball, softball, indoor and outdoor track and field to accumulate 109 points. EKU compiled 108 points with championships in basketball and cross county.

The Southeast men placed fifth overall with 72 points. Middle Tennessee won the men's trophy with 102 points. Eastern Illinois and Murray State tied for second with a score of 101.

The OVC also announced its male and female athletes of the year. Murray State basketball star De'Teri Mayes and Tennessee Tech two-sport athlete Diane Seng were named the Ohio Valley Conference's athletes of the year.

Mayes edged out a pair of quarterbacks in Middle Tennessee State's Jonathan Quinn and Simon Fuentes of Eastern Kentucky to win the men's award. He picked up eight first-place votes in balloting by the league's athletic directors and sports information directors. Randy Johnson of Southeast also received votes.

Seng beat out Eastern Kentucky runner Jamie King, who was named the league's top runner in cross country and indoor and outdoor track. Southeast volleyball player Tuba Meto also earned votes.

The league's honor's lunch will be held Thursday in Cape Girardeau.