Otahkians track team takes OVC outdoor title

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Southeast Missouri State University's women began the Ohio Valley Conference outdoor track and field meet with a bang on Friday and never let up.

The result was the Otahkians' first OVC title since 2000 after they finished the two-day meet on Saturday with 193 points to ease past Eastern Kentucky (174).

Defending champion and host Tennessee State was third (140.5), followed by Eastern Illinois (108), Austin Peay (40), Murray State (39.5), Tennessee Tech (21), Morehead State (13) and Tennessee-Martin (12).

Southeast's men also had a strong meet and finished second with 141 points. Eastern Illinois won its seventh consecutive OVC outdoor title with 236.3 points.

Tennessee State's men were third (127), followed by Eastern Kentucky (124), Murray State (83.3) and Morehead State (33.3).

"We had a great meet, both the women and men. We did about all we could do," Southeast coach Joey Haines said. "We had very few disappointments. When you're dealing with young athletes, that doesn't happen very often."

Upsetting the favorite

Tennessee State's women were considered the favorite to claim their third straight OVC outdoor title, but Haines was confident in the Otahkians.

"We knew we had a chance to win if we did what we could do, but doing it and saying it is another thing," Haines said. "Our girls had an awesome meet. We didn't back into anything, the girls just went out there and kicked butt.

"We had to watch Tennessee State celebrate the last couple of years and today we got to celebrate."

Of his men's squad, Haines said, "We're as proud of them as we are of the women. This was a rebuilding year for us. We redshirted some people and sat on some scholarships, but we think we can put ourselves in a position to compete for the championship next year."

Haines won the OVC women's coach of the year award, and sophomore Heather Jenkins was the co-MVP of the meet. She won the discus Saturday with a distance of 165 feet 5 inches after capturing the shot put Friday. Jenkins, also the co-MVP of the OVC indoor meet, won the discus and shot put as a freshman as well.

Other winners for the Otahkians were Brooke Woodruff in the 800 (2:10.54) and freshman Michelle Jett in the pole vault (11-4 1/4).

Friday, Courtney Haman won the javelin and high jump, while Kris Woolf captured the 10,000.

Also for the Otahkians Saturday, finishing second were Hannah Stuckenschneider in the 400 (54.43), Laura VanHoevelaak in the 400 hurdles (1:00.63) and the 1,600 relay team (3:41.75), which turned in the second-fastest time in school history. On that group is VanHoevelaak, Stuckenschneider, Woodruff and LaQuita Andrews.

Placing third were Andrews in the 400 (55.19), Lyndsey Stevenson in the 100 hurdles (14.08) and the 400 relay (46.06) while fourth were Lyndsey Stevenson in the 400 hurdles (1:02.55), Lori Sarantakis in the pole vault (9-10) and Rose Fulton in the 100 (12.28).

Finishing fifth were Stuckenschneider in the 200 (24.82), Megan Rosenkoetter in the pole vault (9-10) and Natasha Fortenberry in the 100 (12.52); sixth was Kaci Pilcher in the 1,500 (4:45.26); seventh were Andrews in the 200 (25.27), Woolf in the 5,000 (18:58.84) and VanHoevelaak in the 100 hurdles (14.98); and eighth was Colleen Burke in the 1,500 (4:47.41).

Third straight time

For Southeast's men Saturday, Jay Heddell won his third straight discus title (173-7), Shelton Scott captured his third consecutive triple jump crown (49-5) and freshman Jordan Willi won the pole vault (14-8) to duplicate his indoor title.

Friday's winners were Brandon Myer in the shot put and Chad Sierman in the 3,000 steeplechase.

Also for the Indians Saturday, Myer was second in the discus (169-7), Jared Tanz was second in the 800 (1:52.34) and Dave Herman placed third in the 110 hurdles (14.56).

Fourth were Andrew Lambert in the triple jump (distance not available), Gabe Nicholson in the 400 (49.57), the 400 relay team (42.38) and 1,600 relay team (3:24.03); sixth was Nicholson in the 200 (22.54); seventh were Sierman in the 1,500 (4:02.88) and Gabe Lutes in the 5,000 (15:42.03); and eighth were Daniel Jones in the discus (142-5) and Brian Whitehead in the 5,000 (15:42.15).