EIU Track Picked As OVC Favorites

 

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – In a preseason vote of head track & field coaches in the Ohio Valley Conference, the Eastern Illinois and Southeast Missouri were picked to take the men’s title, while the Panthers were also selected to take the women's title for the 2009 outdoor season. The Redhawk men defend their title from last season, while Eastern Illinois’ men and women are in search of their respective crowns.

On the men’s side, Eastern Illinois (22 points) and Southeast Missouri State (22) were followed by Eastern Kentucky (19), Tennessee State (14), Morehead State (13) and Texas- Pan American (10) in the polling.

On the women’s side, Eastern Illinois (45 points) was followed by Southeast Missouri State (40), Murray State (33), Eastern Kentucky (31) and Tennessee State (31), Austin Peay (29) Jacksonville State (26), Tennessee Tech (16) and Morehead State (13).

Eastern Illinois looks to claim its ninth outdoor men’s crown with the help of the 2009 OVC Indoor Athlete and Freshman of the Year Zye Boey competing in the sprint events while teammate Brad Butler seeks to regain his 2006 10,000-meter title from 2007 and 2008 champion Brandon Karcher of Southeast Missouri.

Southeast Missouri will look to defend its 2008 title as it goes for its fourth championship in five years. The Redhawks’ steepleweb Shipley, who was named 2009 OVC Indoor Freshman of the Year, will look to continue his indoor success this spring. In addition, the Redhawks will have the services of the 2009 Indoor Field Athlete of the Year Josh Uchtman.

New to the League this year is associate member Texas at Pan American men’s team.

Eastern Illinois’ women seek to regain their 2007 outdoor championship with the help of 2007 and 2008 outdoor 100-meter high hurdles champion Chandra Golden. Junior Kandace Arnold looks to add a third outdoor shot put championship while also defending her 2008 outdoor discuss crown.

The 2009 Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships will be held May 1-2 in Richmond, Ky. with Eastern Kentucky University serving as the host.


2009 OVC MEN’S TRACK & FIELD PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(as voted on by the OVC head track & filed coaches)

TEAM POINTS
t1. Eastern Illinois 22
t1. Southeast Missouri State 22
3. Eastern Kentucky 19
4. Tennessee State 14
5. Morehead State 13
6. Texas- Pan American 10

(Teams awarded 6 points for a first-place vote, 5 for second, etc.)


2009 OVC WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
(as voted on by the OVC head track & field coaches)

TEAM POINTS
1. Eastern Illinois 45
2. Southeast Missouri State 40
3. Murray State 33
t4. Eastern Kentucky 31
t4. Tennessee State 31
6. Austin Peay 29
7. Jacksonville State 26
8. Tennessee Tech 16
9. Morehead State 13

(Teams awarded 9 points for a first-place vote, 8 for second, etc.)