The Eastern men’s and women’s track teams will open the 2021-22 indoor season Friday with the EIU Early Bird Meet held in the Lantz Fieldhouse. 

The Panthers will be hosting Southern Indiana and Central Baptist for the event. 

The men’s team is coming off an OVC Outdoor Track Championship in the spring and won the OVC Indoor Championship for the 2019-20 season, the last time it was held. 

This will also be the first event for new director of track and field Keith Roberts, who took over the position on Sept. 3 following the departure of previous director Brenton Emanuel.

Notable returners for the men’s team include Adam Swanson and Jekeel Suber. 

Swanson is coming off an outdoor season in which he was named OVC Male Track Athlete of the Year and an honorable mention All-American. 

Suber was first team All-OVC in the 60 meter hurdles in 2019 and 2020. 

Lindsey Carlson will be back for the women’s team after being named second team All-OVC in the last indoor season, which was her first running at the college level. 

Carlson was recently named OVC Runner of the Year in cross country for the 2021 season. 

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or ajtumino@eiu.edu.