Juniors Jessica Self and Amanda Littlefield and sophomores Emilie Mieseler and Cortney Vie are all among the MIAA leaders in the hammer and sophomore Erin Steffens ranks second in the shot put. Self, Vie, Littlefield, Steffens and junior Amber Obert rank among the top 11 in the discus. Junior Jill Weeks is third in the javelin.

The Lions also feature depth and balance in the distance races, where Shank is rated No. 2 in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Walker has the No. 1 qualifying time in the 800 and junior Kara Eckard is the leader in the steeplechase.

Sophomores Ashley Bunch, Chandra Cole, Victoria Kline and Courtney Waltbillig all scored in individual distance races at last year’s conference meet.

“In every distance race, we have two people who are pretty good and that third person has a chance to score,” Vavra said.

Southern also has the top qualifying time in the 4x400 relay.

Sophomore Channell Lloyd keys the Lions hopes in the hurdles and long and triple jumps.

Vavra hopes pole vaulters Erica Culver, a senior, and Ciara Lipsey, a sophomore, can provide major points in a closely bunched field. Culver was second in the MIAA last spring.

Injuries have decimated the sprint crew, which features junior Camille Brown, sophomore Danielle Oliver and freshmen Kelly McKay and Carita Riutta.

“We’re going to have to score everywhere we can, and as much as we can,” Vavra said. “I know we’ll get 110 percent effort. I don’t know if that will be enough.”