OTAHKS WIN OVC INDOOR CROWN

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Southeast Missouri's women's track team captured its first OVC Indoor Track Championship Saturday behind four individual first-place finishes.

The Otahkians finished with 134 points to outdistance Eastern Kentucky, which finished runnerup with 119. Middle Tennessee placed third with 111.

Host Eastern Illinois literally ran away with the men's meet, finishing with 174 points. Middle Tennessee placed second with 104, followed by Eastern Kentucky in third with 80 and Southeast fourth at 77.

Southeast's Heather Fisher won her second high jump title, clearing 5-4 1/2. Yvonne Hente also won the 400-meter run in 56.14 and Janelle Quigley captured the 3,000 in 4:07.14. Quigley also placed second in the mile.

The relay team of Shannon O'Dell, Tammy Wenkel, Kim Stewart and Hente also broke the tape in the mile relay in 3:49.29.

"The women had a great meet," said Southeast coach Joey Haines. "It was nice to finally win the championship. They finished second the last two years."

Added Haines, "They did exactly what they needed to do. We didn't need any super performances, but just have them do what they're capable of doing, and they did it."

Prior to Saturday, Hente, a junior, had never even scored in an OVC meet.

"She just blew away the field in the 400 meter and gave us a great anchor carry in the mile relay," said Haines.

Haines said he was merely hoping Quigley could finish as high as second in the 3,000. Instead he saw her win. She also ran the anchor leg in the distance medley on Friday and lifted he squad from seventh to second in her carry.

A member of the miley relay team, O'Dell also finished second in the 55 hurdles and third in the 200.

Bryan Alfultis accounted for the Indians lone win, heading a 1-2 finish in the shot put. Matt Gaylor finished second in the event.

"We knew we didn't have the depth we needed in the men, but everyone really performed up to their capabilities," said Haines.

Southeast results on Scoreboard on Page 2