The balanced men’s and women’s track and field teams get to showcase their talent this weekend.

The Panthers will split as a team and travel to the Iowa State and DePauw Invitationals.

“Running on another fast track, and competing with stiff competition will give the team an opportunity to step up and perform the best that we can,” said senior David Holm. “I will be running in the 800-meter (run) this week, and I know there will be some top runners at the Iowa State meet.”

Holm currently ranks second in Eastern history in the 800-meter run (1 minute, 49.60 seconds).

The meet begins on Thursday and continues Friday and Saturday.

“Iowa State has great competition, and hopefully, running the (800-meter run) in such a fast heat will allow our runners such as Holm and Boey to solidify themselves as the top runners around,” said red-shirt freshman Megan Gingerich. “Hopefully being placed in a fast heat will allow myself to raise my level of running and perhaps improve on last week’s times.”

The other meet Eastern runners will travel to this weekend is the DePauw Indoor Invitational at 11 a.m. on Saturday in Greencastle, Ind.

“This is a great opportunity for us to have good times and showcase our abilities on the track,” freshman Brittany Arthur said. “The runners who are going to DePauw must be ready to run in order to improve ourselves.”

Breakout: Iowa State competitors

Women’s: Kandace Arnold, Caitlin Napoleoni, Chandra Golden, Caitlin Finnegan, Erika Foltys, Megan Gingerich, Crystal Jones, Sam Manto, Erin O’Grady, Violet Nwordu, Emily Quinones, Bridget Sanchez, Shawana Smith, Dominique Turner, Nicole Walcott

Men’s: Nic Atkinson, Reid Basting, Zye Boey, DeMarcus Brooks, Tyler Carter, Clint Coffey, Kris Gehrke, David Holm, Aaron Iaun, Brandon Jelks, Nic Kuczwara, Alex Migit, Joe Noonan, Antoine Perry, Brenton Pegues, Jason Springer, Pat Tortorici, Chevon Walker, Dorrian White, Ian Winston, Marcus Williams, Sean Wiggan

Wally Swenson can be reached at 581-7944 or at wfswenson@eiu.edu.