The women’s indoor track team finished behind its first Ohio Valley Conference opponent this weekend at the Illinois Invitational last Saturday at Illinois.

Tennessee State came in second place with 77 points in Champaign, while Eastern finished fifth with 56.

“It was a good eye-opener for us in a sense that we cannot take advantage that it is ours to keep,” Eastern head women’s track coach Mary Wallace said.

Wallace said in dual-meet scoring, Eastern was within 10 points of the Tigerbelles, and the Panthers were missing some middle distance runners when they expected to score points.

Wallace also said sophomore Kandace Arnold was able to defeat a TSU thrower ranked ahead of her head-to-head this weekend in the shot put.

Arnold threw 45 feet, 7.75 inches, while TSU thrower Kathy Onwu was only able to throw 44’10.75.”

Junior hurdler Samantha Manto said it was nice to get a look at TSU.

“It was good to see where we are compared with where they are at,” Manto said. “Personally, something that came to a head was their (1,600 relay) team. They are very fast.”

Athletes improve standings during past weekend

A number of athletes on the women’s team improved themselves in the OVC standings after the Illinois Invitational.

Junior thrower Nicole Walcott moved into fourth place in the OVC in the shot put after her personal best weekend at the invitational.

Walcott’s throw of 43’11.75″ was seventh best of the meet.

Junior jumper Jenna Uhe’s triple jump mark of 39’1.25″ is the best in the OVC, and her jump of 18’0.50″ on Saturday moved her into a tie for fifth place in the long jump.

Freshman hurdler Charay Savage’s time of 9.11 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles moved her into fourth place in the OVC.

Junior sprinter Shawana Smith moved into fourth in the 200-meter run with a time of 25.53.

Sophomore middle distance runner Erin O’Grady’s mile time of 5:17.03 moved her to fifth place in the OVC.

Panthers prepare for two-day meet at Indiana

For the first time this season, the women’s track team will have a two-day meet.

The Panthers will compete at the Indiana Relays this Friday and Saturday at Indiana University.

The meet begins at 3 p.m. on Friday in Bloomington, Ind.

Wallace said preparation does not change for this type of meet.

“They really have to focus on coming out with their best effort during the preliminaries and (semifinals) so they have the ability to stay for the finals the next day,” Wallace said.

Wallace said most of the event preliminaries will be held on Friday, including most field events.

The top 12 finishers in these events will compete in the finals on Saturday.

Manto said it is important not to look forward to Saturday and concentrate on the preliminary events Friday.

Athletes who do not make the finals can return to Charleston on Friday night if they choose.

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