March 20, 2002

CAPE GIRARDEAU - The Southeast Missouri State University men's and women's track teams will open the outdoor season on Friday and Saturday at the Alabama Relays in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

"We just hope to find some warm weather and have a chance to see how we stack up against outstanding competition," said Southeast coach Joey Haines. "There are a lot of unattached athletes including several former Olympians and so it will be important to see how we perform, not where we finish in a particular event."

Senior Amy Arteme is the defending champion in the 10,000-meters and will defend her title on Friday.

Other top entries for Southeast will include Ohio Valley Conference indoor champions Jaret Willi in the pole vault and Jay Heddell in the shot put. Heddell will also throw the discus. Glenn Haley is expected to challenge in the hurdle races.

One of the top relay entries for the men will be the 4 X 800 relay team of Tyson Brown, Chaz Brown, Adam Shupe and Chad Sierman. The women's 4 X 100 relay team of Laquita Andrews, Lyndsey Stevenson, Darla Hannan and Meleisa Greene is expected to contend with other top collegiate teams.

OVC indoor 400-meter champion Hannah Stuckenschneider will compete in the 400 and run on at least two relay entries.

"We are taking our full squads," Haines said. "It will be great to have the opportunity to compete against some of the top teams and individuals in the nation."