Panthers Face Indiana State In Dual Meet

CHARLESTON, Ill. – After weather forced the cancellation of the SIUE Cougar Invite, Eastern Illinois and Indiana State competed in an abbreviated dual meet on Saturday at O’Brien Field. The Panthers posted seven first place finishes in the nineteen event schedule that included several middle distance races, jumps and throws events. 

Tyler Arnholt led a one, two, three finish in the men’s discus as he won the event with a throw of 169’7”. Donald Romero was second with a throw of 156’9” while Jared Diaz was third at 145’. 

Romero and Diaz placed first and second in the hammer throw. Romero won the event with a toss of 174’1” which landed at 8th on the Panthers career list. Diaz second place toss landed at 155’10”. 

Michelle Pranger was second in the women’s javelin with a throw of 104’4. Matt Marunde was a second place finisher for the EIU men in the javelin at 143’. 

In track events the Panthers swept the men’s and women’s 1,500 meter runs. Graham Morrisplaced first on the men’s side posting a time of 3:59.90. On the women’s side Olivia Klaus andMegan Gingerich placed first and second. Klaus crossed at 4:43.55 and Gingerich at 4:44.51. 

Patrick Tortorici led a one, two, three finish in the men’s 400m hurdles. Tortorici was first at 53.18 followed by Preston Smith at 53.67 and Chad Aubin at 54.03. 

Britney Whitehead won an abbreviated steeplechase that was run at 2,000 meters with no water barriers. Whitehead won at 7:22.09. 

Due to cold weather and wind conditions the pole vault and high jump were contested indoors. Mick Viken won the men’s pole vault with a mark of 17’0.25” (corrected from earlier post with incorrect scoring) while Tiffany Beachy was second in the women’s high jump at 5’3.75”. 

EIU will return to action next weekend hosting the Neil Moore Multi’s and Big Blue Classic.