Track Readies For OVC Championship Defense

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. -- The Eastern Illinois men's and women's track and field teams swept the Indoor Track and Field Championships in February and both Panther teams will attempt to do so at the upcoming Outdoor Track and Field Championships April 30 - May 1. 

The sweep of the outdoor titles would be a double dose of championships after both Panther teams won in 2009. Tennessee Tech hosts this weekend's event at Tucker Stadium in Cookeville, Tenn. 

Last year EIU earned 227 points to finish first while Eastern Kentucky was in second with 141, followed by Southeast Missouri with 124, Tennessee State with 45, Texas-Pan American with 26 and Morehead State with 6. 

At last year's meet on the women's side the Panthers recorded 188 points while Southeast Missouri placed second with 155, Murray State finished third with 91.5 points, Jacksonville State followed in fourth with 78.5 and Austin Peay rounded out the top five with 76.5. 

Returning to the championship is last year’s shot put winner and 2009 Field Athlete of the Year Brandon Colbert of Southeast Missouri, who has been named the OVC Field Athlete of the Week four times this season and has the OVC best distances in the shot put and discus. He is second on the OVC best list in the hammer throw. 

The EIU men 4x400-meter and 4x100-meter relays have been impressive all season and will attempt to give the Panthers consecutive wins in both events as both relay teams currently have the best times in conference. 

For the women, last year's 100-meter and 200-meter winnersShawana Smith from EIU is hoping to give the Panthers a boost as she is currently tied for the top time in the OVC in the 100 and has the conference second- best time in the 200. Southeast Missouri's Rachel Kale has top times in both events and will look to make her place in OVC history. 

EIU's Chandra Golden will try to make OVC history as the senior attempts to win her fourth consecutive 100-meter hurdles title. 

The meet begins Friday with the track events starting at 2:15 p.m. CST with the women's 3,000-meter steeplechase and the field events kicking off at 1 p.m. CST with the high jump. The meet resumes Saturday at 8:45 a.m. CST. 

Fans interested in photos from the meet and awards presentations can visit http://tinyurl.com/36mqfuq, or go to www.TTUSports.com, choose the photos page and click on the track and field category. 

Results from each day can be seen at www.ovcsports.com following the completion of each days events.