Track: Panther squads seeking titles

Boey earns OVC Male Track Athlete of the Year

Bob Shaughnessy/Staff Reporter

Senior sprinter Molly Clutter, left, holds up junior sprinter Crystal Jones, junior sprinter, right, following her performance in the 400-meter dash during the Illinois Intercollegiate Meet on Saturday, Jan. 31 in Lantz Fieldhouse. The Panthers are hosting the Ohio Valley Conference Championships. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

Freshman Tasha Buchmiller throws during the Illinois Intercollegiate Meet on Jan. 31 in Lantz Fieldhouse. The Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships will take place today and Saturday in the Lantz Fieldhouse. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

The Eastern men and women's track and field team will be looking to seek the Ohio Valley Conference Championships this weekend.

Both the men and women's teams were unable to bring home the championship last year at Tennessee State. This year they will have the privilege of playing in their own backyards.

The two-day event will begin today in Lantz Fieldhouse at 4 p.m. today and will continue at 11 a.m. Saturday.

For defending champions senior David Holms in the 800-meter run, and senior Jenna Uhe in the triple jump, it is more than just another meet at Lantz Fieldhouse.

"There's a lot of motivation on the side of the guys who have been on top and had to take that long ride home last year. They don't want to have that same feeling," said Eastern head coach Tom Akers.

The men's squad had won 10 of 11 titles entering last season including seven straight indoor conference titles before losing the indoor title last season to Eastern Kentucky.

"The seniors are motivated," Akers said. "They even stood up in front of the team and let everyone know how important this meet is."

The OVC named Eastern red-shirt freshman Zye Boey the OVC Male Track Athlete of the Year and the co-OVC Freshman of the Year. Dan Strackeljahn was the last Panther to be named the OVC Male Track Athlete of the Year in 2007.

Boey said he will have a lot of pressure on his shoulders, but he says he can handle it. Boey has already helped lead the Panthers to the 33rd national ranking.

"I knew all along that we had a good program and working under coach Akers, I knew we were going to be good," Boey said. "(Going into the OVC Championship), I feel a little nervous, but I'm young, and I just got to do what I've been doing, and I won't have to worry about anything."

Boey has the fastest times in the 60-meter dash and the 200-meter dash. The rest of the men's squad has the top 11 times or marks. The women's squad boasts six top marks headed into the conference meet.

On the women's side, juniors Chandra Golden and Kandace Arnold will look to bring home a couple more OVC championships. Golden has the best 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdle time.

Arnold is the OVC shot put leader and second in the 20-pound weight throw.

The women's team will be looking for its second title ever.

The Panthers last won an indoor title in 2007.


Bob Shaughnessy can be reached at 581-7944 or at rrshaughnessy@eiu.edu.