Redhawks motivated for only home test

Ultimately, the success of Southeast Missouri State's track and field season will not be determined by what happens in this weekend's Gatorade Classic.

But Southeast's athletes still want to perform well in their only home meet of the outdoor campaign.

"We're definitely excited. We want to come out and win," said junior Michele Jett, the two-time defending meet champion in the pole vault.

Added senior thrower Brian Knippen, who should be among the favorites in the shot put: "It's our only home meet, and we're very excited. We want to win, definitely."

Southeast coach and meet director Joey Haines expects strong performances from his athletes -- along with stout competition from the entire field -- when the 24th annual event takes place Friday and Saturday at the Abe Stuber Complex.

Twenty-six teams representing 15 schools are entered. The men's and women's hammer throw and the women's triple jump will be contested Friday beginning at 4 p.m. The rest of the meet will take place Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.

There is no admission charge Friday, while admission Saturday is $3 for adult, $1 for children under 18 and free for Southeast students with their IDs.

"The overall competition will probably be as good as it's ever been," Haines said. "We'll have a good number of Division I All-Americans in the meet."

There will be two divisions, one for Division I teams and one for non-Division I teams.

Division I entries feature men's and women's teams from Southeast, Indiana State, Illinois State, Southern Illinois, Missouri-Kansas City, Murray State, Memphis and Western Illinois. Austin Peay will enter a women's team and Tennessee State a men's team.

In the non-Division I group will be men's and women's teams from SIU-Edwardsville, Southern Indiana and Harding, a men's team from Rend Lake Junior College and a women's team from Missouri Baptist.

In addition to men's an women's team champions, an overall team champion will be crowned combing men's and women's team scores. Southeast failed to win either the men's or women's titles last year, but was able to claim the overall crown.

"We're looking to do well," Haines said. "The Ohio Valley Conference meets are our most important meet of the season, but this is next. We're really looking forward to it."

Haines considers Missouri Valley Conference indoor champion Southern Illinois and Indiana State to be women's favorites with OVC indoor champion Southeast also in the hunt. Defending champion Southwest Missouri State is not in the field.

On the men's side, Haines believes Southeast might rate the favorite's tag with Indiana State, Illinois State and SIU also strong. Rend Lake captured last year's title when there was just one division.

In the overall team competition, Haines believes Indiana State probably has an edge, but he's expecting his athletes to threaten a repeat.

"We defend our home turf well," Haines said.

Said Jett: "Competing at home is extra motivation for us, and I think it helps us perform. I know a lot of people are going to come out and support us."

In the non-Division I grouping, Rend Lake should be impressive.

"They might have the best junior college team in the nation," Haines said. "They'll bring some outstanding athletes."

While Haines expects most of the events to be strong, the women's shot put appears particularly loaded, led by defending champion Aubrey Martin of Western Illinois and SIU's Amarachi Ukabam. Martin was sixth in the recent NCAA championships, while Ukabam placed seventh.

"To have two of the top women's throwers in the nation is certainly an honor," Haines said. "That will be one of the top events, but all of the events are loaded with talented performers."