SOUTHEAST TEAMS IN SECOND AT OVC MEET

PADUCAH, Ky. -- Southeast's men's and women's track teams sat in second place after the opening day of the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday.

Eastern Illinois led the men's competition with 97 points and was followed by Southeast (76), Murray St. (35), Morehead St. (9), Tennessee St. (7.5) and Eastern Kentucky (7.5).

The Indians received three-first place finishes. Jaret Willi won the pole vault competition, clearing 16 feet, 8 inches. He was the only competitor to clear more than 15 feet.

Southeast had a 1-2 finish in the shot put with Brandon Meyr and Jay Heddell distancing themselves from the rest of the field. Meyr won with a toss of 55-3.5 with Heddel throwing 54-0.

Garvin Ambrose beat out a trio of Eastern Illinois jumpers in the high jump. Ambrose cleared 6-7.5, as did three Eastern Illinois jumpers, but received first place on a tie-breaker.

Other notable performances by the Indians: Jaret Willi, third in the javelin (167-1); Shawn Statler, second in long jump (23-5); Chris Donze, fourth in long jump (22-5); and Shelton Scott, fifth in long jump (22-5).

In the women's competition, Tennessee St. led the field with 44 points and was followed by Southeast (34).

Cape Central product Courtney Haman won the javelin with a toss of 130-6, placing ahead of the second-place finisher by nearly 11 feet. Haman also placed fourth in the high jump (5-5.75).

Other notable Otahkian performances: Amy Arteme, second in 10,000 meters (39:10.13); and Megan Youse, fourth in shot put (42-4).