Panthers Tune-Up For OVC's at SIUE Twilight

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - In their final tune-up for next week's Ohio Valley Conference championships, a group of Eastern Illinois track and field athletes competed at the SIU Edwardsville Twilight which lasted until late Saturday evening based upon the large number of competitors entered in the meet.

The Panthers posted eight top three individual performances and one top three relay mark as many athletes expected to compete for EIU next weekend were entered in a limited number of events.

Ian Winston picked up the top men's field event finish on Saturday with a second place showing in the high jump. His mark was 6'09". Dorrian White was the third place finisher in a strong pole vault field finishing with a season-best mark of 15'07".

Nicole Walcott had the only top three field event mark for the Panther women. She placed third in the shot put with a throw 45'2.25".

Junior Erin O'Grady was the top women's finisher on the track with a second place finish in the 800m. O'Grady covered the track with a time of 2:19.25.

Sean Wiggan placed second for the EIU men in the 800m with a time of 1:54.68. Aaron Iaun was also a second place finisher in the running events posting a time of 9:57.66 in the steeplechase.

Ryan Hoklas and Preston Smith were both bronze medalists with Hoklas competing in the 5000m and Smith the 400m hurdles. Hoklas mark was 15:55.11 while Smith posted a time of 52.84. The men's 4x400 relay team also placed second with a time of 3:16.72.

EIU will compete at the OVC Championships next Friday and Saturday hosted by Eastern Kentucky.