Track falls in regional rank
Despite winning the Ohio Valley Conference championship this past weekend, the Eastern men’s track and field team dropped one spot in the Midwest Regional rankings, falling from No. 9 to No. 10.
The Panthers have been falling in the Midwest rankings, dropping from their peak position, No. 7, to No. 9 two weeks ago after remaining at the same spot last week.
In the Midwest Region, Nebraska holds the top spot for the second week in a row, followed by Minnesota, who moved up one spot from last week. Oklahoma fell from second to third in the rankings, with Iowa, Illinois and Kansas State following. Wichita State and Oral Roberts own the No. 7 and No. 8 spots, while Oklahoma State, making the jump of the week, advanced six spots to hold the No. 9 position. Eastern rounds out the list at No. 10.
The Panthers continue to be the only representative of the OVC, while the Big 12 conference leads the way with four teams in the top ten.
The Panthers are individually ranked in the Midwest in six different events.
The Panthers currently have two athletes ranked inside the NCAA top-50 rankings. Red-shirt junior Zye Boey and red-shirt freshman Mick Viken remain, while junior Tyler Carter has fallen outside the top-50. Boey currently ranks as the No. 25 runner in the 60-meter dash, tied for the spot with senior Gabriel Mvumvure of LSU. Boey has dropped in the 200-meter dash, now sitting at the No. 7 spot, falling out of the top five. Viken is tied for the No. 32 spot in the pole vault with three other athletes, senior Kenny Greaves of Texas, senior Corey Phallen of Arizona State and freshman Logan Pflibsen of New Mexico. Viken recorded his season best mark at this past weekend’s OVC Indoor Championship. Viken’s 17-foot, 1.50-inch mark broke the Eastern indoor school record, as well as the OVC indoor record.
As a team, the Panther rank No. 59 in the nation, falling eight spots from last week.
Regional Ranking
1. Nebraska
2. Minnesota
3. Oklahoma
4. Iowa
5. Illinois
6. Kansas State
7. Wichita State
8. Oral Roberts
9. Oklahoma State
10. Eastern Illinois
Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7944
