Southeast begins its defense of All Sport Classic title today

Southeast Missouri State University coach Joey Haines expects both divisions to go to the wire in the 21st annual All Sport Classic.

The meet, featuring six men's and women's teams, will be today and Saturday at the Abe Stuber Track & Field Complex, although the majority of the competition will be Saturday. Only the hammer throw will be contested today.

"We should have really good competition in both the men's and women's meets," said Haines, in his 20th season as the All Sport meet director. "Both divisions should be very close and could go to the final event."

Joining Southeast in the six-team field will be Arkansas State, Murray State, Southern Illinois, Western Illinois, Tennessee State (men only) and Tennessee-Martin (women only).

Teams will compete for men's, women's and combined titles. Last year Southwest Missouri won the women's and combined titles while Southeast captured the men's championship.

Haines said Southeast should challenge for all three titles, but most of the other teams entered can also make that claim. He lists Western Illinois, Southern Illinois and Arkansas State as other top women's contenders, with Western Illinois and Murray State particularly strong on the men's side.

Southeast will have four defending champions entered: Megan Youse (shot put), Courtney Haman (javelin), Jaret Willi (pole vault) and Glenn Haley (110-meter hurdles). Tyson Brown, last year's 800-meter winner, is out with a hamstring injury while defending shot put and discus champion Brandon Myer is redshirting.

-- Marty Mishow