July 23, 2001

All-Ohio Valley Conference performers Amy Arteme and Kaci Pilcher are expected to lead the Southeast Missouri State University cross country team in a run for the OVC title.

Arteme, the 1999 OVC cross country champion who finished second last season, is expected to have a big senior season. Pilcher placed fourth in last year's OVC championships as a true freshman as Southeast placed fourth as a team.

Arteme also excelled in the classroom, winning Verizon Academic All-District honors with a 3.857 grade point average in dietetics.

Also returning are all the other members of last year's team including Anna Verseman, Christy Williams, Jessie Thompson, Carmen Owens, Jennifer Burke and Jenny Brown.

Sophomore Chad Sierman, 28th in last year's OVC men's cross country finals is expected to lead this year's men's team. Last season, the men's team finished sixth in the OVC championships.