Eastern’s track and field team will head back to Lantz Fieldhouse this weekend for the EIU Mega Meet.

The EIU Mega Meet will be the third meet of the season for the Panthers after having already shown impressive performances at their first two.

I think the Panthers will continue their streak of superb performances again this weekend.

The Panthers have loads of talent in a variety of events on both the men’s and women’s sides, but because of the home advantage Lantz Fieldhouse gives.

The Panthers’ first meet of the season, back in December, was the EIU Early Bird, that took place at Lantz Fieldhouse.

The Panthers appeared comfortable and relaxed, and I think it had a lot to do with the team’s solid performance.

Last weekend, the team took a long, six-hour bus ride spanning more than 300 miles to get from Charleston to Madison for the Badger Track Classic.

That, along with the Wisconsin snow, made things even more difficult.

The last thing any team needs while on a road trip is an unnecessary distraction.

Still, through and through, the Panthers pulled through with another impressive showing.

This weekend, the Panthers are back home for the EIU Mega Meet at Lantz Fieldhouse, a place they know better than any other team that will be there.

The Panthers have also been back on campus for about two weeks, and should already be adjusted in to new classes, new dorms, and getting back in the swing of things for competition.

The Panthers can go out and do what they do best on their own turf in front of their own supporters. They will not have to deal with travel, lodging arrangements or anything else. They can go out, execute their game plan, and have a fun, successful meet.

I think the Panthers will perform extremely well this weekend. I also think it’s fitting that Panther legend John Craft will be honored at the meet as well. One of the best Panther track and field competitors of all time will get to see that Eastern track and field is still a force to be reckoned with and is still making noise not only throughout the Ohio Valley Conference, but throughout the entire nation (sprinter Zye Boey’s 200-meter dash time is one of the top five in the NCAA). Perhaps this past Panther legend will get to see a few future Panther legends as well.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7944 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.