Two members of the Eastern track and field team earned Ohio Valley Conference honors for their performances at the Grand Valley State Big Meet in Allendale, Mich., this past weekend.

Red-shirt senior Megan Gingerich was named OVC Female Track Athlete of the week following a 2:09.53 performance in the women’s 800-meter run. The time broke Gingerich’s own school record, and she finished in second place in the event.

Gingerich also ran the second leg of the women’s 4×400-meter relay team, which set a new school record of 3:46.27. Seniors Bridget Sanchez, Emily Quinones and junior Erika Ramos also rounded out the team.

Junior Bryce Hogan also took home OVC honors, being named OVC Male Field Athlete of the Week. Hogan jumped 22-feet, 9-inches, finishing in first place in the men’s long jump event. Hogan currently ranks as the No. 10 long jumper in indoor Eastern history, recording his best jump at the Notre Dame Meyo Invite on Feb. 3.

Team drops in regional rankings

The Eastern men’s team dropped to the No. 12 spot in the USTFCCCA Midwest Regional rankings. Nebraska remains No. 1 overall, followed by Minnesota, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas State, Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma State and Kansas, rounding out the top ten.

The Panthers will compete at home this weekend, hosting the Friday Night Special in Lantz Fieldhouse this weekend.

Around the OVC

Junior Soufiane Bouchikhi was named OVC Male Track Athlete of the Week, following his performance at the

University of Washington Flotrack Husky Classic. Bouchikhi ran a time of 13:46.06 in the 5,000-meter run and 7:53.99 in the 3,000-meter run, breaking OVC records in each event. Bouchikhi is the No. 13 nationally ranked runner in the 5,000-meter run, and the No. 18 nationally ranked runner in the 3,000-meter run.

Eastern red-shirt senior runner Zye Boey was also nominated for the honor.

Freshman Tonia Pratt of Murray State was named OVC Female Field Athlete of the Week after taking second in the weight throw at the Hoosier Hills Invite and ninth in the shot put. Her weight throw of 55-feet, 7-inches, ranks on the OVC Best list.

Dominic Renzetti can be reached at 581-7942 or dcrenzetti@eiu.edu.