April 15, 2003

CAPE GIRARDEAU - After impressive performances last week at the Mississippi State Invitational, the Southeast Missouri State University men's and women's track teams will face even tougher competition this week at the Kansas Relays in Lawrence, Kansas.

There are 79 schools with entries at Kansas and a group of world class unattached athletes who will compete in the three-day event. Top team entries include Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Wichita State, Southeast Missouri, Southwest Missouri and Eastern Illinois.

"I think we are ready to have some great performances if the weather cooperates," said Southeast coach Joey Haines. "We had some outstanding performances at Mississippi State last week and I think we should do even better this week."

At the Kansas Relays, teams must submit entries and then Kansas selects only the top individuals.

Competition will begin on Thursday when Brooke Woodruff will compete in the women's 800-meters and Jared Tanz will compete in the men's 800. Chad Sierman will be in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

Woodruff won the 800 at Mississippi State and is nearing the NCAA qualifying standard of 2:10.30. She has timed 2:11.41.

Other Southeast entries for the women include NCAA regional qualifier Heather Jenkins in the shot put and discus, Courtney Haman in the high jump and javelin, Meleisa Greene in the long jump, Megan Youse and Nichole Portell in the shot, Rose Fulton and Natasha Fortenberry in the 100-meters, Hannah Stuckenschneider in the 400, Laura VanHoevelaak in the 400-hurdles and Lyndsey Stevenson in the 100-hurdles.

"We think we can challenge for relay titles in the 800-meter relay and 4X100 and 4X400 meter relays," Haines said. "Our priority will be to qualify the 4X100 team for the NCAA regional."

The 4X100 and 4x200 team will include Fulton, Fortenberry, Greene and LaQuita Andrews The 4X400 team that has already qualified for the NCAA Regional will include Stuckenschneider, Andrews, Woodruff and VanHoevelaak.

The Southeast men will be led by shot put and discus throwers Brandon Myer and Jay Heddell. Myer is an NCAA qualifier in both the shot and discus while Heddell is qualified in the shot put.

"Heddell cut his hand last week and that has slowed him down, but he gets the stitches out on Friday and should be ready to go," Haines said.

Selton Scott will compete against five world class unattached athletes in the triple jump. He is qualified for the NCAA Regional with a jump of 50-feet 4 ¾ -inches.

David Herman will compete in the high hurdles.