TOP-NOTCH RECRUITING CLASS IS ONE OF HAINES' BEST EVER

Southeast Missouri State University track and field coach Joey Haines has been able to sign strong recruiting classes over the years, which is why his program has become one of the best in the Ohio Valley Conference.

But Haines said this year's recruiting crop that was recently finalized just might rank as one of the program's best ever.

"It's definitely one of our better recruiting classes," said Haines. "We've got good quality and quantity."

Southeast signed 10 high school athletes -- including seven females -- for next school year. Three have particularly glowing credentials.

On the female side, Haines said that Meleisa Greene of Cordova, Tenn., and local product Heather Jenkins of Cape Girardeau Central have season bests that rank among the nation's top 25 prep performances in the long jump and discus, respectively.

Greene, the two-time Tennessee state long jump champion who also excels in sprints and hurdles, has gone 19-4 in the long jump. She was recruited by, among others, Tennessee, Mississippi and Memphis

Jenkins, second in the state in the discus and shot put this year, has a best of 152-5 in the discus.

"Meleisa is one of the top prospects in the mid-south area and Heather is an outstanding prospect," Haines said. "I can't remember the last time we signed anybody in the top 25 (nationally) and we got two this year."

The headliner male recruit is Chaz Brown of Parkway North in St. Louis. He is a two-time state champion in the 800-meters who was invited to the prestigious Golden West Invitational in California. Brown, recruited by the likes of Arizona, Missouri and other major schools, also excels in the 100 and 200.

"Chaz was the most talented high school track and field athlete in the state in 2001," said Haines. "He will turn several of our very good relay teams into great relay teams."

The other recruits might not be as heralded as the aforementioned trio, but Haines is excited about them as well.

Other incoming female athletes will be long-jumper/sprinter Lindsey Meyr, a local product out of Jackson, Mo.; Brooke Woodruff (400/800) from Francis Howell North in the St. Louis area; Kris Wolfe (5,000/10,000) from Rogersville, Mo.; Ashley Brinegar (5,000/10,000) from Herculaneum, Mo.; and Colleen Burke (middle distance) from O'Fallon, Mo.

Rounding out the male recruiting class are David Herman (hurdles) from Cordova, Tenn., and Gabe Nicholson (sprints/long jump) from Park Hills, Mo.

"I feel like everybody we signed will be a good, solid athlete for us," said Haines.