Aug. 30, 2007

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State men's and women's cross country teams will open their 2007 season on Saturday, September 1, at the Stegemoller Classic in Evansville, Indiana. The meet will take place at the University of Southern Indiana Cross Country Course. The women's 4k race begins at 6 p.m., while the men's 6k race is scheduled for 6:30.

Competing with the host Screaming Eagles and the Redhawks will be Bellarmine University, Oakland City University and Rend Lake College.

The men's team, who finished third in the OVC championships, is looking to claim its first championship this year. They have returned several prominent runners including Brandon Karcher, Danny Stults, Brad DeMattei and Kirk Nesbit.

Karcher, earned first-team OVC cross country honors and placed seventh in the 2006 OVC cross country championships, while Stults finished 26th at OVC cross country championships and placed 6th in the mile at OVC indoor track and field championship. Seniors DeMattei and Nesbit were both red-shirted last season.

Also returning for the Redhawks are sophomores Dustin Davis and Paul Stemmerman. Davis placed 30th in the OVC cross country championships, while Stemmerman finished seventh in the 1600m run at OVC indoor track and field championships.

The women's team placed fifth in last years OVC championship. They open their 2007 season with a fifth place OVC ranking, but are looking to have a top three finish.

The women's team returns junior Juli Koenegstein who led the Redhawks last season. Koenegstein, earned second-team OVC honors and placed 8th in the OVC cross country championships. She was also won the 3000m finished 15th in the 3000m steeplechase at NCAA Midwest Regionals.

Also returning will be senior Taryn Philips and junior Amy Warren. Both were red-shirted last season but are expected to add depth to the team.

Sophomores Stephanie Harres and Linnea Woldtvedt are expected to have a tremendous impact with the addition of transfer Esther Mathias.

The Redhawks have added three freshmen who all earned all-state honors.

Results from the meet can be found on www.GoSoutheast.com.