5. Kris Gehrke, men’s track and field – Gehrke is an all around track and field athlete. He was fourth in the 60-meter hurdles at the OVC Championship and third in the high jump. The freshman from Wauconda has had top finishes in the hurdles competition in the outdoor season. He was in the top 5 in both the 110 and 400-meter hurdles at the Big Blue Classic and placed in the top four in the 400-meter hurdles race at the Calhoun Classic.

4. Natalie Martin, women’s tennis – The sophomore from Montreal made her mark her first year on Darling Courts. Martin battled injuries all year, but went 20-2 at No. 2 singles this year. Martin, along with junior Sandra Sasidharan, will form the core of a team that should be expected to contend for the Ohio Valley Conference title next year.

3. Mike Robinson, men’s basketball – Robinson made slight progress in his sophomore year after winning the 2006 OVC freshman of the year. But now that Eastern’s point guard will be an upperclassman, more will be expected of him next year. He’s the only Panther to start every game under head coach Mike Miller, who just completed his second season at the helm. Robinson’s ability to take care of the ball and set up the offense for a team that could do big things next year.

2. Kellie Floyd, women’s soccer – The 2006 co-OVC player of the year, the junior forward didn’t stand out in many statistical categories. She didn’t lead Eastern in scoring (second to Michelle Steinhaus with four goals), but she did distribute a team-high five assists. But Floyd was the constant presence for Eastern, always pushing forward to attack and dropping back, when needed to defend. She enters her final year at Lakeside Field poised for even a bigger end to her collegiate career.

1. Donald Thomas, football – When Clint Sellers’ injury sidelined him for the year, people wondered who would fill his void in the linebacking corps. The answer came easily, with the play of Thomas. The junior from St. Louis led the team in tackles (122) and had two interceptions in Easterns’ playoff loss to Illinois State.

He was named the 2006 OVC defensive player of the year for his efforts, and Eastern opponents should be wary next year anytime the 5-foot-10, 237-pounder, wearing his No. 54 jersey, comes up to make tackle.