EIU Track Has Solid Opening To Indoor Season

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois men’s and women’s track got off to a solid start as they opened the 2010-11 indoor season hosting the Early Bird Invite on Friday evening at Lantz Fieldhouse. The Panthers will now take off a few weeks for the holiday break returning to action on January 15 at Wisconsin. 

The Panthers were led by two performances that cracked the EIU career top ten list as they posted nine individual victories in a meet that included Butler, Cincinnati (women only), Kennesaw State, Indiana State and Northern Illinois (women only). The meet was scored as a double dual meet with each team scored head-to-head against the other NCAA Division I schools. 

Mick Viken had an impressive debut as the redshirt freshman transfer from Wisconsin won the pole vault with a height of 16’9.50”. That mark landed at second on the Panthers all-time indoor top ten list. The record is held by current pole vault coach Kyle Ellis at 17’1” set during the 2007 season. Scott Mammoser was second in the pole vault for EIU at 15’7.75” 

Erika Ramos posted a first place finish in the 800m as the sophomore clocked a winning time of 2:13.96. That mark ranks third on the Panthers career list with the record set in 1987 at 2:12.54 by Lauren Lynch. Current EIU teammate Megan Gingerich ranks second on the 800m list with a time of 2:13.50 posted last season. 

Gingerich ran in the 1000m on Friday evening picking up a win with a time of 2:58.82. Wes Sheldon won the men’s 1000m race with a time of 2:31:01 

Zye Boey started to return to form for the Panthers in the sprint events as he swept the 60m and 200m sprints. Boey won the 60m with a time of 6.75 while his winning time in the 200m was 21.87. He beat an EIU teammate in both events as Jacob Mitchell was second in the 60m at 6.83 and Darren Patterson was second in the 200m at 22.19. 

Tyler Carter wrapped up the men’s first place individual finishers by winning the long jump with a mark of 22’5.75”. Bryce Hogan was second in the event at 22’4.25”. Carter would also place second in the 60m hurdles with a time of 8:03 which landed him in 9th place on the EIU career list. 

Queenie Adeboyejo won the women’s triple jump with a distance of 37’9.50” while Tiffany Beachy was the first place finisher for the Panthers in the high jump at 5’4.25”. 

Individual second place finishers for the EIU men included Tyler Arnholt in the weight throw at 51’8.25”, Justin Roberts in the shot put at 48’8” and Colin MacArtney in the 600m at 1:25.65. 

Individual second place finishers for the EIU women included Bridget Sanchez in the 400m at 57.70 and Olivia Klaus in the mile at 5:18.57. 

The women’s team won the DMR with a time of 12:38.26 while the men’s team won the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:23.23.