Teams carry confidence into OVC championships

Southeast Missouri State University's women finished third in last season's Ohio Valley Conference indoor meet, and the Otahkians aren't favored to win this year.

But Southeast coach Joey Haines said he likes the Otahkians' chances of bringing home the OVC indoor title in competition today and Saturday at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

"Even though our girls are real young, we feel real confident that we can win the OVC," Haines said, "We have the people that are going to contend for championships, and we also have the depth."

Haines also expects Southeast's men -- second last year -- to fare well, although defending champion Eastern Illinois is the heavy favorite to win its third straight indoor title.

"Our men are a little short depth-wise this year, but we're going to do really well at the top," Haines said. "I think we've got a good chance to get second."

A key for the women, Haines said, is the health of freshman distance ace Lindsay Zeiler, the OVC cross country champion who has been out several weeks with a leg injury.

Zeiler has the OVC's top times in the mile and 3,000-meters, and she runs on the distance medley team that is the best in the conference. Haines said Zeiler has been working out hard and is hopeful of competing, but that will probably be a meet-time decision.

"If she's all right, the other people are going to have trouble beating us. If she can't go, then it's a dog fight," Haines said.

The Otahkians have no returning individual indoor champions but have quite a few athletes who could contend for titles.

Sophomore Heather Jenkins from Central High School has the OVC's top performances in the shot put and weight throw after finishing third in both events last year.

Also having OVC-best performances are senior Courtney Haman, a Central graduate, in the high jump; redshirt freshman Brooke Woodruff in the 800; and freshman Michelle Jett in the pole vault.

Sophomore Meleisa Green was second in the long jump last year. She is expected to contend in that event, along with the 55 and 200.

Junior Kaci Pilcher placed second in the mile last year and is expected to contend in several distance events.

High expectations

Haines also expects strong performances from junior Lyndsey Stevenson (55 hurdles), Jackson sophomore Lindsey Meyr (long jump), sophomore LaQuita Andrews (400), freshman Nichole Portell (shot put), freshman Natasha Fortenberry (55, 200) and freshman Rose Fulton (55, 200).

On the men's side, Southeast has two returning champions in junior Jay Heddell (shot put) and senior Shelton Scott (triple jump). Heddell has the OVC's top performance this year, while Scott ranks first in the triple jump and long jump.

Senior Brandon Myer has the OVC's second-best shot put and could challenge Heddell for top honors. He also could contend in the weight throw.

Freshman Andrew Lambert from Sikeston ranks first in the high jump.

Also expected to contend for the Indians are junior Jared Tanz from Perryville (800), junior Chad Sierman (3,000), sophomore Dan Jones (weight throw), sophomore David Herman (55 hurdles) and freshman Jordan Willi (pole vault), the younger brother of OVC pole-vault record-holder Jaret Willi, who graduated last year.