OTAHKS PLACE 2ND IN INDIANA INVITATIONAL

Southeast Missouri State University's women's track and field team turned in another strong performance over the weekend as the Otahkians placed second out of 10 squads in the Indiana Invitational in Bloomington, Ind.

The Otahkians scored 85 points as they finished well behind host Indiana, which had 155 points.

Cincinnati was third with 79.5 points, followed by Tennessee-Chattanooga (69), Eastern Illinois (68), Southern Illinois (65), Vanderbilt (60), Middle Tennessee (45), Murray State (18.5) and Western Kentucky (14).

On the men's side, Southeast was sixth with 42 points.

Indiana's men also finished first, scoring 170 points. Eastern Illinois was second with 93. Rounding out the top five were Middle Tennessee (91), Southern Illinois (86) and Ball State (54).

Southeast's women had three first-place performances as Heather Keltner won the 400-meters in 55.22 seconds; Jennifer Leaman captured the pole vault with a height of 11 feet 8 inches; and the 4x400 relay team prevailed in 3:54.98.

Leaman increased her provisional qualifying height for the NCAA Championships. She had earlier this season gone 11-6 during a home meet.

Finishing second for the Otahkians were Shauna Birge in the 200 (25.54), Janelle Quigley in the mile (5:01.36) and former Kelly High standout Amy Arteme in the 5,000 (17.54.93).

Also in the top five for the Otahkians were Leslie McNamara, third in the 5,000 (17:59.66); Lutricia Purham, fourth in the shot put (46-4 1/4); Natalie Talley, fourth in the 60 (7.76); and Birge, fifth in the 60 (7.79).

On the men's side, Southeast was led by shot-putter Bryan Alfultis, who placed second (52-10).

Other Indians in the top five were Perryville High product Tyson Brown, fourth in the 800 (1:55.94); Derrick Brown, fifth in the 60 (6.92); Eugene Staten, fifth in the long jump (22-7); and the 4x400 relay team, which was fifth (3:24.02).

Southeast's teams will compete Saturday in a meet hosted by Southern Illinois.