OTAHKS LEAD OVC MEET

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Randy Johnson won his fourth straight javelin title Friday as Southeast Missouri State University's teams began the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships with a strong showing.

Southeast's women, the defending champions and heavy favorites, lead after the first day with 45 points. Tennessee State is second (35) and Eastern Illinois third (31).

On the men's side, Eastern Illinois leads with 61 points while Southeast is a close second with 59.

The meet will conclude today on the campus of Austin Peay.

Johnson prevailed with a toss of 194 feet in adverse weather conditions.

Also for Southeast's men, Bryan Alfultis was second in the shot put (55-9) and third in the javelin (178-2).

Jon Riley, nursing a hamstring injury, finished third in the long jump (23-9).

On the women's side, Southeast's Heather Denihan defended her title in the long jump by leaping 18-3.

Freshman Lutricia Purham won the shot put with a personal-best of 47-8 as she unseated three-time defending champion Shelly Johnson of Middle Tennessee.

Jennifer Phillips was second in the javelin (121-9) while freshman Celeste Ramsey out of Perryville placed third in the 10,000 with a personal-best 38:18. Leslie McNamara was fourth in the 10,000 (38.51).