OTAHKS TRACK DOWN TITLE

Southeast Missouri State University track coach Joey Haines says an Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championship was a just reward for his women's team.

"They really worked hard and put in a lot of effort," said Haines. "It was great to see all that rewarded with a first-place finish."

The Otahkians won their first-ever OVC indoor title during competition held last weekend on the Eastern Illinois campus in Charleston, Ill.

Southeast's men finished fourth in the OVC meet, which also pleased Haines.

"They also really worked hard and put in a lot of effort," said Haines, who was bestowed the honor of the OVC women's indoor track coach of the year after the meet. "We've got a really young men's team this year, but we're building it the right way and in another year or two we should be back near the top."

The Otahkians were led by four first-place performances, led by Heather Fisher, who won her second straight high-jump title.

Other winners were Yvonne Hente in the 400-meters, Janelle Quigley in the 3,000-meters and the mile relay team of Shannon O'Dell, Tammy Wenkel, Kim Stewart and Hente.

"The women really had a great meet and it was nice to finally win the championship after finishing second the last two years," said Haines. "We went in thinking we could win it if everybody did what they're capable of doing. And that's what happened.

"Our women are still fairly young, so we should be in really good shape for the next few years."

On the men's side, Southeast had one champion as Bryan Alfultis captured the shot put.

"Our guys also did about as well as we expected," said Haines.

Now Southeast will set its sights on the outdoor season which begins March 22-23 with the Alabama Invitational.

A major highlight of the outdoor schedule is always the SEmotion Relays that will take place April 4-5 at the Abe Stuber Complex in Cape Girardeau. The OVC outdoor meet is set for April 18-19, again in Charleston, Ill.

"Things went really well indoors and we're looking forward to the outdoor season," Haines said. "Our girls should again be one of the favorites to win the conference championship and our guys will continue to improve."