Redhawks eager to perform on big stage

~ The regional offers underdogs a chance to upset favorites.

With Miles Smith out of commission, the Southeast Missouri State track and field program will take no national title contenders to this year's NCAA Mideast Regional.

But that doesn't mean the Redhawks' contingent can't make a major impact when the national qualifying meet is held Friday and Saturday at the University of Missouri.

"We think we're taking some people who have a chance to do well and, if things break right, qualify for nationals," Southeast coach Joey Haines said.

Southeast will take its men's 1,600-meter relay team and six individuals to Columbia, Mo.

Athletes advanced to regional competition either by meeting qualifying standards during the season or by winning conference titles.

The top five finishers in every individual event from each of the four regionals across the nation -- the top three in relay events -- qualify for the NCAA Championships. Plus eight more at-large qualifiers in each event (five in relays) will come from the top marks compiled nationally this season, provided those athletes reach regional finals.

"It's what all the team sports go to, basketball, baseball, they don't go to the NCAA finals, they go to a regional first," Haines said. "That's what our athletes have accomplished.

"It's a tremendous accomplishment and a nice reward for a very good year."

Smith qualified for nationals in the 400 the past two years, finishing fifth as a sophomore and then having the second-fastest time in last year's preliminary round before suffering a hamstring injury in the semifinals, which ended his season.

Smith would likely have contended for the national title this year, but he missed most of the season with an injury and was forced to redshirt. He'll return for his final collegiate campaign next year.

Smith also led the 1,600 relay to nationals last year -- only junior Chris Poindexter from that group is back -- while Alonzo Nelson made it in the 400 hurdles as a senior.

"It's very tough to make it to nationals, and our regional is one of the toughest in the country," Haines said.

Still, Haines is hopeful that some of his athletes can contend for national berths.

Haines believes freshman thrower Brandon Colbert, junior long-jumper John Berry and the 1,600 relay have the most realistic chances of getting out of the regional, although all will be solid underdogs.

Colbert qualified for regionals in the shot put and discus after a monster rookie season that saw him win the Ohio Valley Conference outdoor field athlete of the year award.

Colbert met regional qualifying standards in both events and won the OVC discus title.

"He's had quite a year and he's got a really bright future," Haines said. "He'll compete at the NCAA national level at some point, even if it's not this year."

Berry met the regional qualifying standard and will participate for the second year in a row.

The 1,600 relay squad of Poindexter, freshman David Reid, freshman Myron Pettigrew from Charleston and sophomore Chris Williams won the OVC title.

"Brandon and John both have to go a little further than they have, but both are capable," Haines said.

The relay group was less than a second off the automatic regional qualifying standard.

"The relay has done a great job without Miles," Haines said. "We think they can run close [to what it might take to qualify for nationals]. A couple of those guys have really come on, so who knows?"

Southeast's other regional qualifiers are considered more of longshots to make it through, but with only two seniors in the entire group, Haines said the experience gained this weekend will be invaluable.

Senior Chris Herren will compete in the steeplechase after winning the OVC title while sophomore Brandon Karcher will run the 5,000 after capturing the OVC crown.

Karcher, the OVC outdoor co-track athlete of the year, also won the conference 10,000, but there is no regional race for that as competitors meet qualifying standards and advance directly to nationals. He did not qualify.

On the women's side, senior Lindsay Zeiler will wrap up a brilliant career by competing in the 1,500 for the second straight year after she won the OVC title. Sophomore Juli Koenegstein will go in the steeplechase after she claimed the OVC crown and met the regional qualifying standard.

"It would take something out of the ordinary for any of that group to get through," Haines said. "But with only two seniors, it's a really good experience for the people that will be coming back."

Women's team honored

The Southeast women's track and field team earned the OVC's 2007 Team Sportsmanship Award for women's track and field.

The award is voted on by athletes and coaches in the sport and the award is based on which team best exhibited sportsmanship and ethical behavior during the season.

"Sportsmanship is a core value of the Ohio Valley Conference and the team awards are a primary means of celebrating those student-athletes and coaches who perform with distinction," OVC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement. "Anytime you are recognized by your peers, it is truly an honor. I congratulate the Southeast Missouri women's outdoor track and field program for their pursuit of excellence."