Otahkians, Indians both victorious in home meet

Southeast Missouri State University track athletes found friendly surroundings to their liking Friday night as they tuned up for next weekend's Ohio Valley Conference indoor championships.

Southeast's women and men both posted victories at the Student Recreation Center. The Otahkians (177.5 points) edged Alabama-Birmingham (175) in a six-team meet while the Indians (195) romped in a triangular.

"We had some really good performances and the crowd was tremendous," Southeast coach Joey Haines said.

There were numerous highlights for Southeast, including a pair of victories by standout thrower Heather Jenkins and a record-setting performance by Lyndsey Stevenson.

Jenkins, a Central High School product, won the shot put (49-3) and weight throw (61-7 3/4) with personal bests. She extended her OVC record in the weight throw while also breaking the Student Recreation Center mark.

"I thought I threw pretty good," Jenkins said. "It was great to win our home meet, and it was nice so many fans came out."

Stevenson set school and Rec Center records in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 7.99 seconds.

"Breaking the school record was a goal of mine and it's exciting," Stevenson said.

Other winners for the Otahkians were Michele Jett in the pole vault (11-6), Meleisa Greene in the long jump (18-8), LaQuita Andrews in the 300 (40.27), Juanita Coleman in the 800 (2:18.06), Natasha Fortenberry in the 200 (25.39) and Kaci Pilcher in the 1,000 (2:56.81).

On the men's side, Perryville High School graduate Shawn Statler won two events, the long jump (22-8 1/2) and 55 (6.49).

"I've been having difficulties this year in the long jump scratching a lot, and I ended up moving my mark back. I finally got a good one," Statler said.

Other winners for the Indians were Jordan Willi in the pole vault (14-0), Jay Heddell in the shot put (57-5 3/4), Seth Schuster in the 400 (52.06), Alonzo Nelson in the 55 hurdles (7.66), Miles Smith in the 300 (35.99), Chaz Brown in the 800 (1:57.44) and John Jefferson in the 200 (23.04).

One of the overall highlights of the meet was an exhibition 300 dominated by Agne Eggerth, an Alabama-Birmingham assistant coach who is a 27-time Lithuanian national champion. Her time of 38.68 seconds Friday set a Lithuanian national record.