JACKSON'S MEYR JUMPS AT CHANCE TO EXTEND HER CAREER AT SOUTHEAST

Lindsey Meyr was a standout performer for the Jackson High School track team this year but Southeast Missouri State University coach Joey Haines believes Meyr hasn't even started to scratch the surface of her potential.

Haines is excited that Meyr recently signed a letter of intent to compete in track and field for Southeast.

"We're really happy that Lindsey is coming here," said Haines. "Physically, she is very, very talented. She's very athletic. When we get her in our program, with the weights and everything, we think she's going to get a whole lot better. She's just got a lot of potential."

Meyr, a multi-event star for Jackson, made her biggest mark in the long jump as she finished seventh in this year's Class 4A state meet. Haines said he will be looking for immediate dividends from Meyr not only in her specialty but also on the track.

"We were really weak in the long jump this year. In fact, we were non-existent and that really hurt us at the OVC meet," Haines said. "I feel like Lindsey can really help us in the long jump right away next year. And she'll be able to run for us, too. When I watched her at the state meet, she really ran well on the mile relay."

Meyr, who has a best of 17 feet 7 inches in the long jump, said she is excited about having the opportunity to continue her athletic career in college even though she never gave that much thought until her senior year.

"I didn't really decide if I wanted to do track in college until this year but I'm happy I'm going to be able to," said Meyr, also a softball standout in high school. "I really like coach Haines and all the people there. I'm excited to be going to SEMO."

Meyr is the second local high school track and field athlete signed recently by Southeast. The other is Cape Girardeau Central's Heather Jenkins, one of the state's premier performers in the shot put and discus.