Track: Both squads host next event

Wally Swenson / Staff Reporter - Daily Eastern News

A member of the men's indoor track team stretches while walking the track during practice on Jan. 14 in Lantz Fieldhouse. Eastern will host the Mega Meet this Saturday in the fieldhouse. (Kelly Crement / The Daily Eastern News)

The Eastern's men and women's indoor track teams are looking to build off of their experience and to get into the Ohio Valley Conference Championships.

But for right now, both squads are focused on the Eastern Mega Meet on Saturday at Lantz Fieldhouse.

Freshman mid-distance runner Erica Foltys knows the importance of this meet.

"The Mega Meet is an opportunity for us to take that second step towards preparing ourselves for conference," Foltys said.

The freshmen are beginning to bond, which will lead to better performances.

"As a team we can definitely tell that we have grown closer, and we are all excited for this indoor season to get underway with many meets ahead of us," sophomore Gena Nance said.

And that is something Eastern head coach Tom Akers will need that throughout the season.

"As a team we must have a good start to our season, and our individual successes will keep that chip on our shoulder throughout the rest of the season and leading into conference," Akers said.

This goes for the men's team as well.

"After that first meet we really have bonded well as a team," freshman sprinter/hurdler Tyler Carter said. "And we are all very excited for the Mega Meet."

Carter is not the only freshman that gained experience in the first meet, the Early Bird Meet on Dec. 12 at Lantz Fieldhouse.

Freshman DeMarcus Brooks finished first in the 60-meter dash in 6.75 seconds.

Sophomore Chevon Walker was second finishing in 6.77 seconds. Red-shirt freshman Zye Boey was third in 6.84 seconds.

Freshman hurdler and jumper Tyler Carter won the long jump in 23 feet, 3.5 inches.

Carter also finished second in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.38 seconds.

But behind these young contributors, there is experience.

"Clint Coffey is a leader on our team who has seen it through," Akers said. "He is extremely hard working and knows how to win."

Coffey, a senior, essentially knows what it takes.

"We really need to show up at the meet Saturday and we need to show a sense of urgency during our individual races," Coffey said.


Wally Swenson can be reached at 581-7944 or at wfswenson@eiu.edu.