OTAHKS FAVORED TO WIN OVC TRACK TITLE

Southeast Missouri State University track & field coach Joey Haines expects his women's team to bring home another Ohio Valley Conference championship this weekend -- but Haines sure isn't expecting a cakewalk.

In fact, Haines is counting on quite a battle as the Otahkians look to make it a clean sweep of the OVC during the 1999-2000 school year when the league's outdoor meet is held today and Saturday in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The Otahkians, who have won two of the past three OVC outdoor titles, finished first in the league's indoor meet this year.

"Our women are favored, but it won't be easy," said Haines. "We just need to perform up to our capabilities and we will do all right."

Haines expects Eastern Kentucky and host Middle Tennessee to provide the Otahkians their stiffest challenges. During the OVC indoor meet, Southeast scored 103 points to hold off Eastern (92) and Middle (86).

"This is Middle Tennessee's last year in the conference (the Raiders move to the Sun Belt Conference next year) and they're at home, so it's going to be a big incentive for them," Haines said. "Middle Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky should both be tough."

Southeast's women are led by a pair of standouts who will be looking to continue their domination in their main specialties during OVC competition.

Junior Heather Keltner has never lost an OVC 400-meter race during her brilliant collegiate career. She has won three indoor titles and two outdoor crowns. Keltner is also the defending 200-meter OVC champion. She is heavily favored in the 400 this weekend and should also contend seriously for the 200 crown.

"Heather has had quite a three years running for us," said Haines. "She really has a big heart. She gets everything out of her body."

Junior Lutricia Purham has won three OVC shot-put titles and the defending champion in that event is heavily favored this weekend. Purham, who finished 15th in the NCAA Championships in the shot last year, is also a top discus contender as she has the league's second-best throw this season.

"Lutricia has been a tremendous competitor for us and we look for more good things from her," said Haines.

Other defending champions for the Otahkians are Becky Shull in the javelin and the 4x100 relay team, which has won three straight OVC titles. Members of the 4x100 are Kim Stewart, Shauna Birge, Natalie Talley and Keltner. Stewart will be gunning for her fourth title in that event while Birge, Talley and Keltner will all be shooting for their third.

Talley also figures to seriously contend in the 100-meters as she has the conference's top time this season. The Otahkians' 4x400 relay team of Keltner, Stewart, Hannah Stuckenschneider and Birge is also one of the favorites.

A host of other athletes should also be in the hunt for high finishes -- including Kelly High graduate Amy Arteme in the 5,000 -- on an Otahkian squad that Haines said is the most balanced in the OVC.

"We have by far the best balanced team in the conference," he said. "Middle Tennessee will score all their points in the sprints while Eastern Kentucky will score their points in the distances. We're the most well rounded. We're not depending on any one area to win it."

Southeast's men's squad, while not expected to contend for the title, will be shooting for a spot in the top four after finishing third at the OVC indoor meet.

The Indians are somewhat shorthanded because several athletes are being redshirted for various reasons, including defending pole vault champion Jaret Willi, sprinter Derick Brown and hurdler Glen Haley.

"We're competing without some key people, but our guys have really been competing well," said Haines. "I think we have a chance for third and that's our goal. We're really a young team and I feel good about where our team is going. Next year I feel like we'll have a legitimate shot at the championship."

One of the key performers for the men is Brandon Myer, who has the best shot put and discus marks in the OVC this season. Cape Girardeau Central product Jim Fox, the 1998 OVC outdoor pole vault champion, has the second-best vault in the league this season.

Among others expected to contend for high finishes are Sikeston's Adrian Barnhill in the high jump, Perryville's Tyson Brown in the 800, Chris Donze in the long jump and Shelton Scott in the long jump and triple jump.

Barnhill, a freshman, was the Indians' only champion during the OVC indoor meet.