April 30, 2008

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State men's and women's track and field teams will play host to the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships.

Field events will kick off at 1 p.m. on Friday with the women's high jump, women's javelin and men's long jump, followed by the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase scheduled for 2:15 p.m. The meet will resume at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning with the men's triple jump and finals in all running events.

The men's competition will feature national talent in the field and on the track. Miles Smith has the nation's sixth fastest time in the 400-meters. He also leads the OVC in the 200 and 400 meter races. John Berry is among the top 20 long jumpers in the nation. He has the OVC's best mark and will be looking to defend his indoor title.

Brandon Colbert is a regional qualifier in the shot put and discus. He sits at the top of the OVC best list in both events. Ben Stricklin is a regional qualifier in the javelin and currently has the OVC's best mark in this event.

Eastern Kentucky's Jacob Korir holds the nation's fastest time in the 5,000-meter run and has run the second best time in the 10,000-meters.

Southeast women will be competitive in the in the field events, sprints and distance races . Samantha Espiricueta, Lindsay Hearne and Rebecca Martin have the second through fourth best seeds in the javelin. Ashley Brewer leads the conference in the discus and Brianna Egbuka is among the top eight shot put competitors on the OVC best performance list.

Precious Elliot sits high on the performance list in the 100-meters, while Orie Ibe enters the 200-meters with the third best seed.

Other notable athletes include OVC indoor 60-meter hurdle champion, Whitney Thomas in the 100-meter hurdles, Rachel Kahle in the 100-meters and Brandi Gervais in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.

Results will be available at www.gosoutheast.cstv.com.