Track & Field To Host Friday Night Special

The Eastern Illinois indoor track & field teams had a solid performance last weekend at the Grand Valley State Big Meet as 11 Panthers moved into the top 10 list in EIU history in their respective events. The Panthers will return home to the Lantz Fieldhouse this weekend (Feb. 19) as they host the Friday Night Special.

PANTHERS MOVE INTO RECORD CHARTS
Anita Saffa and Bryn Buckwalter highlighted the record worthy finishes as the duo moved up in the EIU record books in two events each. Saffa moved into a tie for second all-time in the 60-meter dash (7.58) and fourth all-time in the 200-meter dash (24.73). Buckwalter placed herself in fourth all-time in EIU history for the shot put (47'04.25") and sixth in the weight throw (55'11.75").

The trio of Maria Baldwin, Rachel Garippo, and Kristen Rohrer all secured a spot in the EIU record books for the 3000-meter run. Baldwin moved into fourth (9:59.34), Garippo in seventh (10:01.69), and Rohrer in eighth (10:02.57).

Amina Jackson and Amy Yeoman moved into third all-time in program history in their respective events. Jackson finished the 600-meter run at 1:34.83, as teammate Yeoman crossed the line in the mile run at 4:53.15.

Ivy Handley cruised in the 5000-meter run as she finished the event with the fifth best time in program history (17:27.15).

Dhiaa Dean, Cassidy Strohl, Darneisha Spann, and Jackson raced around the track to the fifth best time in EIU history for the women's 4x400-meter relay (3:49.59).

ABOUT THE FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
The EIU Friday Night Special will begin Friday afternoon with the field events set to begin at 2 p.m. The women's weight throw will be the opening event of the field competitions. The running events are set to begin at 3 p.m. with the 4x800 relay as the opening event for the running competitions. The 1000-meter run is expected to begin at 8:20 p.m. and will be the final event of the Friday Night Special.

The EIU Friday Night Special will host competitors from several different schools including Bradley, Butler, Clinton, Illinois State, Indiana State, Kentucky Wesleyan, Lincoln College, McKendree, Millikin, Southern Illinois, Vincennes, and William Penn.

After competition concludes at the Friday Night Special, the Eastern Illinois indoor track & field teams will prepare for the OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships. The championships will be held Feb. 26-27 at the Gentry Center on the campus of Tennessee State University.