EIU 2nd At SIU-Edwardsville Twilight
Saturday, April 26 2008 - SIUE Twilight
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - In their final tune up prior to the Ohio Valley Conference outdoor championships, Eastern Illinois men's and women's track finished second at the SIU-Edwardsville Twilight with a partial squad on each side.The host Cougars placed first on both the men's and women's side as more than 20 teams entered the event for men and women. Eastern Illinois was second in both the men's and women's standings despite not sending many competitors that will challenge for the OVC title next week.
A total of 12 EIU individuals placed in the top three in their events with two men and two women claiming top honors. EIU also had one women's relay team in the top three and two men's relays with medalist finishes.
The women's first place finishers were led by hurlder Chandra Golden as she posted a career best time of 14.03 to win the 100 meter hurdles. She improved upon her previous best time by .10 seconds but failed to move up any on the EIU career list. Golden already ranked second on the top ten and is chasing school record holder Candy Phillips who set the mark of 13.97 in 1998.
Golden also ran one leg on the 4x100 relay team that placed second. Freshman Charay Savage was third in the 100 meter hurdles.
Kandace Arnold also had a big day winning the shot put with a throw of 14.06 meters. Arnold currently ranks third on the EIU career shot put list.
On the men's side senior Brenton Emanuel won the 200 meter dash with a time of 21.49, his fastest mark of the season. Emanuel also ran one leg of the 4x100 relay that placed second. EIU's other relay team placed 3rd in the 4x400 race.
Derek Ericson rounded out the EIU first place finishers with a win in the steeplechase. Ericson ran a 9:42.62 to win the event.
On the women's side freshman Caitlin Napoleoni placed third in the steeplechase running the event for the first time in her collegiate career. She posted a time of 11:45.59. Terasita Williams picked up a second place finish in the 3,000 meter run. Rachel Galligan rounded out the medalists for EIU with a second place effort in the javelin.
The men's remaining medalist winners included Ty Vanderkerkhove and Luke Craven placing second and third in the high jump, Dorrian White placing second in the pole vault and Jason Springer with a third place finish in the 800 meter run.
EIU will return to action next Friday and Saturday at the Ohio Valley Conference championships hosted by Southeast Missouri. EIU is the defending outdoor champion for both the men and women.