The EIU Big Blue Classic took place on a cloudy, chilly and rainy afternoon on Friday. Although there was a delay in certain events, the meet went on and continued into Saturday afternoon.  

The Panthers had 16 first place finishes throughout the two-day meet.  

Along with the results, 17 seniors were recognized, including hurdler and jumper Taryn Tarquin.  

Tarquin recorded a first-place finish in the triple jump with a distance of 11.88 meters. For Tarquin, this win meant a lot as this was her last time competing at O’Brien Stadium.  

“It felt great winning triple [jump],” Tarquin said. “We had a pretty small group jumping so I was able to focus on executing a good jump series. I always love competing at O’Brien so it feels good walking away with a win for my senior night.”  

Another senior that recorded a first-place finish in their event was hurdler Hallee Thomas. Thomas competed in the 100m hurdles event with a time of 14.83 seconds.  

“It felt great to have a win for the last time here at home,” Thomas said. “I’ve had so many amazing memories here and it was a nice way to wrap up my senior night.”  

Both Tarquin and Thomas spent the entirety of their collegiate careers at Eastern.  

Another senior that was recognized was sprinter Jahleel Perrin. Perrin said the feeling of running his last race on the blue track at O’Brien Stadium hasn’t hit him yet, but he’s excited to end the season out after achieving a few of his personal goals.  

“Honestly it really hasn’t it hit me yet because I’m mid-season and focused on achieving a few goals before this season ends,” Perrin said.  

The weather was a factor that some Panthers thought the team overcame. With both days being chilly and rainy, Tarquin said she thought the team did really well throughout the Big Blue Classic.  

“The weather was definitely not ideal, which is tough because we compete outside, rain or shine,” Tarquin said. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how the team does when we get a warm competition day.”  

Sophomore sprinter Taji Mathis-Akinremi also thought the team did a good job adjusting to the weather conditions.  

“Obviously, it wasn’t favorable conditions for us, but we work with what we got,” Mathis-Akinremi said.  

Junior thrower Sam Bradbury said he felt the weather was bad, but he feels like he underperformed despite his first place with a discus throw of 43.43 meters.  

“Personally, for me I want more,” Bradbury said. “Yes, the weather was not the best, but I still feel like I underperformed. If I would like to compete in May for conference podiums, then I need to turn it up from here on out.”  

Both Bradbury and senior Gracie Cox finished in first place in the discus for their respective groups. Cox’s discus throw was recorded to be 40.18 meters.  

Eastern also picked up wins in the men’s 110m hurdles from sophomore Nathan Kirby, the hammer throws by sophomore thrower Jacob Maxwell and graduate student Isabella Fabrizio won first place in both the hammer throws and the shot put.  

Eastern’s next meet is on Friday and Saturday in Normal as the Panthers will make the drive to compete at the Normal Invite hosted by Illinois State.  

Tarquin said she’s excited to compete at Illinois State, and she’s hoping the weather stays in good condition during the meet.  

“I’m excited to compete at Illinois State this weekend,” Tarquin said. “The weather should be decent so I’m keeping my fingers crossed it stays that way. I feel like I’m at a great place in my training to jump really well under good conditions.”  

Looking forward, Thomas is hoping to clean up her racing strategy, and she’s excited to continue her track career for the rest of the season.  

“I’m excited to keep chasing a regional qualifying mark for the 400 hurdles,” Thomas said. “I’m really just trying to enjoy each moment competing and the time I have left with this team.”  

The Normal Invite is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. on Friday.   

Zaria Flippin can be reached at 581-2812 or at zhflippin@eiu.edu.