EIU Track Adds Third Throws Athlete

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois track and field has added a third student-athlete to compete in throws as O'Shay Smith has signed with the Panthers.  EIU will open its outdoor track and field season this weekend at Southern Illinois.

Smith competes at Lena-Winslow HS where he has been a three-time IHSA Class 1A State Qualifier in the shot put.  As a junior he placed fourth in the state meet with a throw of 56'1”.  He was sixth as a sophomore with a throw of 53'5.50”.  As a freshman he was a state qualifier after finishing second at the Galena Sectional.  His top throw is 57'3.75” during his junior season.

“O'Shay will be a shot put/hammer specialist.  He has great potential to throw far with the 16# shot put immediately,” said EIU throws coach Jessica Sommerfeld.    “The future of the men's throwing program looks very bright with the current throwers and our 2013 recruits.  I am excited to see him compete in an EIU Panther uniform.  Signing two of the top 4 returning shot putters in the state is very exciting for me and the future of our track program.”