Panthers Win Lee Calhoun Memorial

MACOMB, Ill. - Eastern Illinois men's and women's track teams continued a strong spring season as both squads placed first in the ten team field at the Lee Calhoun Memorial hosted by Western Illinois.

The EIU men won scoring 175 points followed by Iowa in second place at 165.5. The Panther women scored 200.5 points to take the title with host WIU second with 181.

DeMarcus Brooks led the men's squad picking up two individual first place finishes and another as a member of the 4x100 relay team. He won the 100m dash in a time of 10.54 and the 200m dash in 21.49. The 4x100 relay team posted a winning mark of 41.30. Teammate Brandon Jelks was second in the 100m dash and also ran a leg on the 4x100 relay.

Brenton Pegues scored a first place finish in the 400m dash at 48.34 and helped anchor the 4x400 relay team that won with a time of 3:14.51.

Chandra Golden was a first place medalist in the 100m hurdles and on the 4x100 relay team. She won the hurdles with a time of 14.36. Teammate Caitlin Finnegan was third in the 100m hurdles.

Nicole Walcott scored the other Panthers first place finish in the shot put with a toss of 43'10.25". She was runner-up in the high jump at 5'05". Megan Gingerich was third in the high jump and third in the 400m run.

Other top three finishers on the men's side included Pat Tortorici with a second place finish in the 400m hurdles. Kris Gehrke was third in the 400m hurdles. Aaron Iaun and Nic Atkinson placed second and third in the 5000m run. Joe Noonan was second in the pole vault and Ty Vandekerkhove was third in the high jump.

On the women's side additional top three finishers included Shawana Smith with a pair of second place efforts in the 100m and 200m sprints. Bridget Sanchez was third in both the 100m and 200m. Tarra Grant was second in the 400m run. Samantha Manto was second in the 400m hurdles. Erin O'Grady was second in the steeplechase. Queenie Adeboyej was second in the triple jump followed by Jenna Uhe in third. Uhe also placed second in the javelin. LaDonna Martin was second in the long jump and Kandace Arnold second in the discus. EIU's 4x400 relay team was also second.

EIU will return to action next weekend at the Memphis Invitational.