SEMO TRACK HOLDS PLENTY OF PROMISE

Even though they failed to win any team titles, Southeast Missouri State University track and field coach Joey Haines came away quite pleased with the performance of his squads during last weekend's Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships.

Southeast's women saw their two-year streak of outdoor titles end as the Otahkians finished second. Southeast's men, who are again on the upswing, placed third.

"I thought both teams had a real good meet," said Haines. "We knew it would be tough to win with the women because of the injuries we've had. For the most part, we did what we could do.

"Our men did really well and they almost pulled off second. It came down to the last event, but we were very happy with third."

What particularly excites Haines is that both teams will be returning most of their athletes next season and some talented recruits will be added.

All the points scored by the women's team at the OVC meet were from non-seniors. On the men's side, only two seniors scored, although they will be missed as Bryan Alfultis and Chris Moore both had impressive careers for the Indians.

"Our women are young and good. They're going to make big improvements," Haines said. "Our guys really improved this year. We had a lot of freshmen and sophomores do well and they're only going to get better."

Southeast's women were led by at the OVC meet by sophomore Heather Keltner, who won both the 200-meter and 400-meter dashes and ran on the victorious 4x100 relay team that also featured Shauna Birge, Natalie Talley and Kim Stewart.

The Otahkians also got victories from Lutricia Purham in the shot put and Becky Shull in the javelin.

On the men's side, Alfultis closed out an impressive career by winning both the discus and javelin, giving him six career OVC titles. He was also second in the shot put.

The Indians' other champion was sophomore pole-vaulter Jaret Willi, who came on like gangbusters this season.

While the majority of the Southeast track athletes are through for the season, several will continue to compete as there are a few weeks left prior to the NCAA Championships June 2-5.

Purham, a sophomore who holds the school record in the shot put, stands a good chance of qualifying for the NCAA meet. She has already met the provisional qualifying standard and ranks high among the nation's throwers.

"She's really looking good for the NCAAs," said Haines.

Keltner is close to qualifying for nationals in the 400 and Haines is hopeful she'll be able to drop her time just enough to make it.

"She's really close and I think she's got a shot to make it," Haines said.