EIU EARNS FOUR FIRST PLACE FINISHES
Before the holiday break, the Eastern Illinois indoor track & field teams opened up their 2016-17 with the annual EIU Early Bird Meet. The Panthers earned four first place finishes during the meet to begin the season.

Anita Saffa crossed the line first in the women's 60-meter dash with a time of 7.61.

In the field events, Haleigh Knapp continued her dominating career in the women's high jump as she cleared the bar at an even 5'10" to finish with the best mark.

Adam Kessler moved into ninth all-time in program history with his toss in the men's shot put at 54'8" and earned first place honors in the event.

Chrisford Stevens rounded out the top finishes with his mark of 47'6.25" in the men's triple jump.

BUCKWALTER MOVES UP THE CHARTS
Senior Bryn Buckwalter started the season strong at the EIU Early Bird as she recorded a pair of second place finishes in the women's shot put and weight throw and moved into the top three all-time in program history. Her toss of 49'7.75" in the shot put moved her into second all-time. With her mark of 57'11.25" in the weight throw, Buckwalter now stands in third all-time in EIU history.

ABOUT THE ILLINI CLASSIC
The Illini Classic is set to begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning with the field events. The running events are scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m.

The other teams scheduled to compete at the Illini Classic include host Illinois, Butler, Saint Louis, Notre Dame, Bradley, DePaul, Northern Illinois (women only), Tennessee Tech (women only), Southern Illinois, and Western Michigan (women only).

UP NEXT
Following the Illini Classic, the EIU men's and women's indoor track & field teams will return to the Lantz Fieldhouse for the annual EIU John Craft Invite. The John Craft Invite will take place on Jan. 21.