Holm, Arnold close in on top marks

Monday, April 21 2008 - Vanderbilt Invitational

By: Dan Cusack/Sports Reporter

Posted: 4/21/08

David Holm and Kandace Arnold made an impressive mark at the Vanderbilt Invitational this weekend in Nashville, Tenn.

Holm was the only individual champion for the Eastern men's and women's track teams. He won the 800-meter run in 1 minute, 50.76 seconds, just .36 seconds off the NCAA provisional qualifying time. It was Holm's personal best, and the third-fastest 800-meter time in school history. If Holm hits the provisional mark means, he would get on a waiting list to see if he can compete at the NCAA National Championships.

Arnold also had a big weekend for the Panthers.

Arnold finished fourth in the shot put with a throw of 46 feet, 4.75 inches and also finished in fifth place in the discus with a toss of 144'2''. Arnold's distance in the discus was the second-farthest in Eastern history.

"Everything felt right on that throw," Arnold said. "All the things (Eastern head women's track coach Mary Wallace) has been telling me since I got here, I did. I tend to throw it and try too hard with discus because shot put is my best event, and that is what you do with a shot put. With this one, I just let it happen."

Arnold said before her throw she watched Ohio Valley Conference rivals Tennessee State warm up for the event and picked up tips from their approach.

Arnold was not aware the mark was second in school history until Saturday night but said she is motivated more than ever to be the best in school history in the event.

"I thought we performed really well," Wallace said. "At times in the event it was gorgeous out, and we took advantage of it. When it was raining, we went out and gave a great competitive effort."

Sophomore distance runner Wes Sheldon finished third (1:52.38), and senior Chris Wesson finished fifth (1:53.26) in the 800-meter run.

Sophomore Kris Gehrke had a solid meet for the Panthers in both the track and field competitions. Gehrke and teammate sophomore jumper Ian Winston tied for second in the high jump with a mark of 6'4.75''. Gehrke also finished sixth in the 400-meter hurdles (53.84 seconds).

Junior Jenna Uhe was another women's field member with a solid weekend. Uhe finished second in the javelin with a throw of 129'7'' and finished fifth in the triple jump with a mark of 38'10.25''.

Wallace said the meet had the most competitive and talented athletes the Panthers had faced so far in the outdoor season. Wallace said it was good to compete against conference team Tennessee State head-to-head.

"Up to this point, with weather and stuff like that, we have had nothing to compare ourselves to the rest of the OVC," Wallace said. "Going up against Tennessee State gives us a good measuring stick to see how we compare. After seeing them, it helps us focus a little more and go at things a little more intently than we had before."

The Panthers will compete in two meets next weekend. Half of the team will participate in the Drake Relays on Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa, while some team members will compete Friday and Saturday at the Stan Lyons Invitational in Indianapolis.

Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.