Southeast Missouri State cross country runners will debut at Washington University meet

~ The men, women will open the cross country season in St. Louis

The Southeast Missouri State cross country squads consistently have finished in the top half of the 12-team Ohio Valley Conference.

Third-year coach Ryan Lane doesn't expect that to change during the 2013 season that opens Saturday at the Big River Running Early Bird meet hosted by Washington University in St. Louis.

"We're still young, but we're strong on both sides," Lane said. "I think the guys are top-three again for sure, and the girls are very capable of being in the top three."

Southeast's men finished third at last year's OVC Championships, marking their sixth straight top-four finish at the meet that largely defines their season.

Nationally-ranked Eastern Kentucky rolled to its seventh straight OVC men's title.

"We lost a few seniors, but we brought in some good freshmen and everybody is in the best shape they've been in," junior Craig Munie said. "I think we should be right up there [toward the top of the OVC] again."

Southeast's women were fifth in last year's OVC despite having no seniors. Eastern Kentucky also claimed the women's title.

"I'm really excited," junior standout Rebekah Lawson. "Our girls team is looking a lot better at the beginning of the season than last year."

Southeast's men also fielded a young group last year, although their top two runners were seniors.

Nate Shipley earned his third straight top-10 OVC finish, placing ninth to nab second-team all-OVC honors (the top seven runners make first team, with the next seven being placed on the second team).

Alex Zisser also made second-team all-OVC with a 12th-place finish. He went on to earn third-team Academic All-American honors.

"We'll definitely miss those two," Lane said.

The Redhawks will also miss Brent Collins, 16th at last year's OVC as a junior. He left the program after receiving early admittance to medical school.

"It hurts us but it's really good for him. It's a great opportunity," Lane said.

Lane feels good about the runners he has returning on the men's side.

Senior Charles Johnson and Munie were 18th and 22nd, respectively, at last year's OVC to round out Southeast's scoring runners.

Junior Ryan Anderson (35th) and sophomore Shane Brown (40th) also competed at the 2012 OVC.

Other returning runners are senior Tyson Stoverink from Jackson High School, junior Tyler Holmes, junior Colten Strotheide, sophomore Sean Brown, sophomore Kameron Long, sophomore Adam Shivers and sophomore Curt Wood.

Freshmen are Notre Dame Regional High School graduate Cole Ross, Andrew Gordon, Hayden Young and Marc Maton, who already has made a major impact.

Lane said Munie, Johnson and Maton are currently filling the top three spots in Southeast's lineup.

"We have some very good runners at the top end, but we're searching for depth," Lane said.

Southeast's youthful women's team that features just one senior is led by Lawson. She recorded her second straight top-seven OVC finish last year, nabbing first-team all-OVC accolades by placing seventh.

"We're looking for more big things from her," Lane said.

Junior Gloria Westlake (25th), junior Jenny Govero (35th), sophomore Lindsey Seabaugh from Jackson High School (40th) and sophomore Maria Trowbridge (42nd) rounded out Southeast's scoring runners at the 2012 OVC.

Two more local high school graduates also participated for the Redhawks at the OVC a year ago, sophomore Laura Chavez from Central (44th) and junior Mary Dohogne from Central (51st), along with senior Madalyn Stichnot (65th).

Lane said Dohogne especially has improved from last season.

Also returning are junior Melanie Lacey from Scott City High School and junior Nichole Beffa.

Southeast has six newcomers, including three sophomores: Jackson High School graduate Kristen Richardet, Alison Barker and Alyssa Rebecca -- all three competed in track for the Redhawks last year.

Freshmen are Madeline Gaul, Megan Parks and Angela Sumner, who has made an early impact.

Lane said Lawson, Dohogne and Sumner are currently at the front of Southeast's lineup. Chavez and Seabaugh are also challenging for top-five spots, meaning the Redhawks could have a strong local flavor.

"I love having local kids," Lane said. "Three of our top eight are from Cape and Jackson."