Sprint Titles Carry EIU In Big Blue Classic

CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois track and field turned in a dominating performance in sprints as the Panthers wrapped up day two of the Big Blue Classic at O'Brien Field placing first in five of six sprinting events.

Shawana Smith led the women's group of sprinters winning the 100m and 200m dash while also running on the 4x100 relay team that placed first. Smith posted a 12.18 in the 100m while going 25.32 in the 200m dash. The 4x100 relay team crossed with a winning time of 48.36.

On the men's side Zye Boey returned to action following winter knee surgery as he won the 100m dash with a time of 10.68. Teammate Darren Patterson won the 200m dash in a time of 21.65 while Marcus Williams captured the 400m sprint with a winning time of 47.86.

Olivia Klaus led a 1-2 finish in the women's 5000m as she won with a time of 18:23.60 followed by senior Erin O'Grady at 18:32.69. Chandra Golden also paced a 1-2 finish in the 100m hurdles as she crossed in 14.19 followed by Caitlin Finnegan in second place at 14.58. Golden also placed third in the 200m dash while Bridget Sanchez was second in the 200m.

In field events Queenie Adeboyejo placed first in the triple jump with a mark of 38'10.50" which landed the sophomore in seventh place on the Panthers career list. Tyler Arnholt won the men's discus with a toss of 172'04" while senior Kandace Arnold was second in the discus at 155'02" which increased her school record by nearly three feet over her previous record setting mark.

The women's 4x400 relay captured the final first place title for EIU winning at 3:57.77. The men's 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams both placed second.

On the women's side Megan Gingerich turned in a second place finish in the 400m at 57.07. On the men's side second place finishes were turned in by Brandon Jelks in the 100m at 10.71, David Holm in the 800m at 1:54.25 and Dominique Hall in the 110m hurdles at 14.64.

EIU will return to action next Saturday competing in the Western Illinois Lee Calhoun Classic.