SE BRINGS SEVEN RECRUITS INTO WOMEN'S PROGRAM

Seven female high school track and field athletes have signed national letters of intent to attend Southeast Missouri State University.

Heading the group of signees is Hannah Stuckenschneider of Helias High School in Jefferson City. She is one of the most decorated Missouri Class 3A athletes in history, leading her team to three straight state titles and winning the maximum 12 all-state medals.

Stuckenschneider holds career records at Helias in the 200-meters, 400-meters and 800-meters and she ran on record-setting 400, 800, 1600 and 3200 relay teams. She was also all-state in cross country the past two seasons.

Katie Gilbert, a middle distance runner from Marquette High School in St. Louis, placed third in the 800 at the Class 4A state meet. She is the granddaughter of Gary and Joy Gilbert of Cape Girardeau.

Jessie Thompson of Logan-Rogersville High School near Springfield led her team to the 3A state championship in cross country. She placed fifth in the 1600 at the state track meet.

Three Canadian athletes will join Southeast, including Kim Demers of Timmons, Ontario, who is the Ontario champion in the 400 hurdles and also runs the 200 and 400.

Sara Junkin of Sudberry, Ontario, placed fourth in the heptathlon at the Canadian Junior Championships while Laura Van Hovelaak of Hamilton, Ontario, was third in the 100 hurdles and fourth in the 400 hurdles at the Ontario Championships.

The final recruit, who signed during the fall signing period, is standout local distance runner Amy Arteme of Kelly High School.

"This is an outstanding recruiting class of freshmen," said Southeast coach Joey Haines, who has guided the Otahkians to two straight Ohio Valley Conference indoor and outdoor titles. "This is a very talented group that should help us stay on top in the OVC."