One person dominated the OVC indoor championships hurdle events for the past three seasons.

Kirkland Thornton.

But the South Holland native transferred to Nebraska for his final year of eligibility. As an Eastern athlete he won the 55-meter high hurdles in 2006, and the 60-meter hurdles in both 2005 and 2007.

However, for the 2008 season, the Panthers will need to have another athlete step up if they want to win that hurdle race.

“One thing that Eastern has always taken pride on is we are not a one-man show,” Eastern indoor track head coach Tom Akers said. “We don’t live and die with how one man goes. It has always been a team effort and a team performance.”

Akers said that four sprinters could all fill into the role left by Thornton.

“Generally when you’re in a transition, or when you lose one of your athletes in that area, guys are going to start fighting for pecking order,” Akers said. “Sprinters and hurdlers can often be a little more competitive with each other, so I’m hoping we can get through that and work together as a team.”

Akers said he thinks the hurdlers need to step up because of injuries in the sprinters, forcing the Panthers to look for points in other events.

The hurdlers Akers said could step up and fill that role are sophomore T.J. Evans, senior Mike Embry, freshman Alex Migit and sophomore Kris Gehrke.

Evans took fourth in the Eastern Early Bird Invite on Dec. and finished in 8.44 seconds. His best time last season was 8.7 in the 60-meter hurdles in Feb. 2007.

According to Akers, Evan’s had a rough start freshman year. Evans injured his ankle. However, he came up big for the team last year in the outdoor season. He placed fifth in the 110-meter hurdles at the Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Championships.

“T.J.’s off to a really good start for us this year, sort of picked up right where he left off,” Akers said. “He is doing real well and is continuing to improve on a weekly basis. I’m looking forward to see how far he can progress this year.”

Embry placed second in the Early Bird Invite and finished in 8.43 seconds. He also placed third in the 60-meter hurdles at the OVC Indoor Championships and finished in 8.43 seconds.

This will be his first year of full time training, because he previously played with the football team his first two years.

“It will be interesting to see how much that fall with us has helped out,” Akers said. “We are looking for good things; I think the fall has already helped out with his hurdles. He was real close to being a medalist last year, and we are looking forward to seeing him be a medalist this year.”

Migit placed seventh at the Early Bird invite with a time of 8.59 seconds.

According to Akers, Migit has been a real pleasant surprise coming from high school.

“The first year the adjustment to the college height is a big transition, but Alex has done surprisingly well,” Akers said. “He is very competitive and it will be interesting to see to make progress.”

Gehrke did not run in the Early Bird Invite in the hurdles for the Panthers. His best time last season was in the OVC Indoor Championships with a time of 8.53 seconds.

Akers said Gehrke is a well-rounded, multitalented athlete that competed in the high jump and 400-meter hurdles for the team last year.

“Chris came to us last year after being in a cast all summer long,” Akers said. “Right now his strength levels are up and he’s a lot further along then where he was last year at this point in time.”

Dan Cusack may be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.