Tuesday through Thursday before Thanksgiving Break, the men’s track and field team competed in an intra-squad time trial. Turkey time trials.

The team was divided into a blue and a gray squad for the Turkey time trials.

They gray team consisted of the returning athletes and the blue team consisted primarily of freshmen and newcomers.

“The 400, I was sort of hoping we’d run some faster times there,” said head coach Tom Akers. “I intentionally sort of split our fast guys into different heats.”

Junior hurdler Kirkland Thorton improved in the Turkey Time Trials, Akers said.

“He broke his own record in the 60 meter hurdles,” he said. “(He) had the fastest split for the 4 x 400. Kirk did a really good job.”

Thorton placed first in 60-meter hurdles and in the 200-meter dash. He also was in first in the 55-meter hurdles.

Freshmen and more stepping up

Freshman runner Marcus Williams had the second fasted split of the 4 x 400’s in the Turkey time trials.

“He’s looked really strong and really progressed well,” Akers said.

The Casey native competed in a variety of events at Casey Westfield High School.

“He’s a very smooth runner,” Akers said. “He was very successful at the high school level. He’s gained a lot of strength, he’s gained a lot of endurance.”

Williams was first in the 400-meter dash in the Turkey Time Trials.

Williams is not the only freshman to stand out in the early season. Jumper Brandon Jelks also has been rising to the occasion.

“He has continued to improve throughout the fall,” Akers said.

Jelks placed first in the 60-meter dash and was first in the 55-meter dish.

“Brandon has been a pleasant surprise for is in the dashes,” Akers said. “He’s a walk on kid. He did a lot of events in high school. He high jumped, threw the shot, ran sprints and everything else. He’s a very explosive athlete.”

It’s much more than the freshmen that have been stepping up for the Panthers. Part of the Panther work has come in part from junior runner David Holm. Holm placed first in the 800-meter run in the Turkey Time Trials.

“He’s a real hard worker, and he doesn’t like to lose,” said junior runner Chris Wesson.

Competing against the conference

The Panthers won their ninth Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Championship last season.

“Potentially we’re a much better team than we were last year,” Akers said.

Eastern has won nine of the past 10 indoor titles and finished second in 2000.

“Our depth is a lot better than last year,” Akers said.

Southeast Missouri has been the runner up for the past three years and five of the last six at the OVC Championships.

“Southeast Missouri is also another strong team that is returning,” Akers said. “They’re returning a lot of their kids from last year. The conference meets are going to be highly competitive this year.”

The Panthers are mix of newcomers and returning letterman with experience.

“(In the trials), 21 out of 27 of our guys improved,” Wesson said.

Eastern will need the help of everyone if they are to claim its seventh straight OVC indoor track championship.

“It takes all of us as a team to win,” Wesson said.

Injuries a possible threat

Two of the male track athletes are currently dealing with injuries.

Senior sprinter Brenton Emmanuel and freshman hurdler Thomas Evans are on the injured list.

“They’ll probably not be ready to go by our first meet,” Akers said. ” (They’ll) hopefully (be) back in the fold by the middle of January.”