Heddell shoots for OVC titles Nos. 9, 10

Jay Heddell is getting married next month, he's graduating May 15 and he's already got eight Ohio Valley Conference titles in his pocket.

Life is indeed sweet for Southeast Missouri State University's senior who ranks among the top shot put and discus athletes in school history.

"Things are going well. I can't complain," said a grinning Heddell following Tuesday's workout at Southeast's Abe Stuber Complex.

But Heddell is not yet totally satisfied. He still has quite a bit of unfinished business, beginning with this weekend's OVC outdoor meet in Birmingham, Ala., where he will be favored to capture his fourth straight discus title and to reclaim the shot put crown he last won in 2002.

"I'm shooting for 10. I want two more," said Heddell, who has also won all four OVC indoor shot put titles during his career.

And that's not all Heddell is shooting for. The St. Louis native has his eyes on the school's outdoor shot put record -- he holds the indoor mark of 59 feet, 7 3/4 inches, which also places him first all-time at Southeast in the event -- but trails record-holder Rick Wadlington's outdoor mark of 59-0 1/2, set in 1971, by about a foot.

Heddell would also love to cap his career by reaching the NCAA championships. He has already qualified for the NCAA regionals in the shot put and discus for the second straight year.

"I really want to break the outdoors record," said Heddell, whose top discus throw of 173-7 ranks fourth all-time at Southeast. "And I want to place in the top five at regionals, which would get me to nationals. That would be icing. We're in a tough regional, but hopefully some people will have bad days and I'll throw really good."

No matter how Heddell's athletic career winds up, coach Joey Haines said he has already more than left a major imprint on Southeast track and field.

"Jay has had a great career, especially for somebody who was just kind of average in high school," Haines said. "He has worked really, really hard, and he and coach Crumpecker have really made quite a team."

Heddell, a graduate of Oakville High School, flashes a wide smile when Southeast throws coach Eric Crumpecker's name is mentioned.

"He's awesome. He's a great coach who really knows his stuff. He's been a big help and we've been a great match," Heddell said. "I came out of high school like a 53-foot thrower in the shot put and I think I placed 10th in the state. I was shocked anybody wanted me, let alone to get a scholarship. I never expected to be a college athlete."

Heddell was overshadowed in high school by what Haines said was a terrific senior class of shot putters, although he did place second in the discus at the state meet.

What makes Heddell's college career even more remarkable is the fact he has had to juggle athletics with one of the most grueling majors imaginable. He'll graduate in a little more than a week with a degree in chemistry, having compiled a 3.26 grade-point average in that demanding field.

"It's been pretty rigorous and I really have to stay on top of it, but my professors have been awesome, working with me around my track," said Heddell, who added with a laugh, "I have no idea what I want to do when I graduate. I took a chemistry class when I first got here, I enjoyed it and I just stayed with it. I've also got a business minor, and I might do something in that. I'm not sure if I want to be a chemist."

Heddell acknowledges that his senior year has been the most hectic yet as he has combined his athletics with trying to graduate and preparing for his June 26 wedding to high school sweetheart Christina Altrudo, who attended Miami (Ohio) University.

"It's been hectic, but it's been a lot of fun," Heddell said. "I'm glad I have something to look forward to after my track is done. I'm excited about getting married and starting the next part of my life."

But not before he takes care of some unfinished business.