Area digest 10/11/02

Cape runner heads to Chicago for marathon

The Rev. Paul Short of St. Andrew's in Cape Girardeau will head to Chicago this weekend to participate in the Chicago Marathon.

Short made the commitment to take on the 26.2-mile run to help raise money for the new Saxony Lutheran High School Athletic Department.

"It's kind of an athletic event for the athletic program," Short said.

This will be Short's second marathon. His first was the Honolulu Marathon in 2001, a charity event for the Arthritis Foundation.

Short said so far more than $7,000 has been raised for the Saxony athletic department through his run.

"It really makes the training and running worthwhile," he said.

As for whether this weekend's run in Chicago will be Short's last marathon, he said he hasn't decided yet.

"I didn't know I'd do a second one," Short said. "I can't do it without a cause."

Southeast women 7th in cross country meet

Southeast Missouri State University's women's cross country team finished seventh in the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational over the weekend in Chicago.

The men's team did not place.

Kris Woolf led Southeast and finished 21st. Her time was 18 minutes, 51 seconds. Kaci Pilcher was 26th, Brooke Woodruff 33rd, Colleen Burke 37th and Anna Verseman 38th.

Among men, Chad Sierman was 23rd in 25:54. Brian Whitehead was 46th, Jared Tanz 55th and Gabe Lutes 59th.

Southeast volleyball set for home match tonight

Southeast Missouri State University's volleyball team will have a pair of Ohio Valley Conference home matches this weekend, at 7 p.m. today against Tennessee Tech and at 2 p.m. Saturday against Austin Peay.

The Otahkians are 8-9 overall and 3-2 in the OVC, which has them third in the nine-team league, behind Tennessee-Martin (7-0) and Morehead State (7-1). Tennessee Tech (4-11, 1-4) and Austin Peay (5-12, 1-4) are tied for sixth.

This weekend's matches will begin the Otahkians' Dig for Life program throughout the month of October that raises money for breast cancer education.

Pledges and donations will be accepted for every dig the Otahkians make at their five October home matches. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is the third year for the Otahkians' Dig for Life program.

Southeast soccer plays at Tennessee Tech today

Southeast's women's soccer team will try to remain undefeated in the OVC when it plays a 3 p.m. game today at Tennessee Tech.

The Otahkians (7-4-1, 1-0) are in third place in the six-team league, behind Tennessee-Martin and Murray State, who are both 2-0. Tech (8-2-1, 2-1) is in fourth place.

Following today's game, the Otahkians return home to face non-league foe Lipscomb (1-6-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday.

-- From staff reports