Panthers Head To 104th Drake Relays

Thursday, April 25 2013 - Drake Relays


 

 
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois will send 21 athletes to compete in this weekend's 104th annual Drake Relays.  The Panthers have twelve athletes that are currently ranked in the top 48 in the NCAA West Region with three that rank among the nation's top 50 in their respective events.

Britney Whitehead is scheduled to compete in two events at the Drake Relays after earning OVC Female Track Athlete of the Week honors last week.  Whitehead set the school record in the 1,500m at the Cerritos College Beach Invite and placed 16th in the Olympic Development Elite section of the steeplechase at the Mt. SAC Relays.  Whitehead is currently 27th in the NCAA West Region in the steeplechase and 50th in the West Region in the 1500m.

Jalisa Paramore is also ranked in the region in multiple events as she is 37th in the West Region in the long jump and 48th in the 100m hurdles. 

Jade Riebold has the highest national ranking for a Panthers athlete as she is fourth in the nation in the pole vault.  Mick Viken is ranked 33rd nationally in the men's pole vault.  Abigail Schmitz is 32nd in the women's pole vault in the West Region.

Tyler Carter is the third EIU track athlete ranked in the top 50 nationally.  The senior is 45th in the long jump.  Teammate Bryce Hogan is ranked 38th in the west region in the long jump.

Dominique Hall and Danny Trevor are both ranked in the West Region representing the short and long hurdle events.  Hall is 38th in the 110m hurdles while Trevor is 44th in the 400m hurdles.  David Johansson rounds out the regionally ranked EIU athletes that will be competing this weekend at Drake, he is ranked 45th in the javelin.

The Panthers do have two athletes that hold regional top 48 rankings that will not travel to Drake this weekend.  Calvin Edwards is 40th in the West Region in the 200m dash.  Pablo Ramirez is ranked 42nd in the 10K.

EIU's travel squad to the Drake relays includes Ryan BallardBryce BastingJoe CalioTyler CarterEphraim DorseyDominique HallBryce Hogan, David Johannson, Lamarr Pottinger, Danny Trevor, Mick Viken and Sean Wiggan for the men.  The women's roster includes Paige BiehlerMaura CumminsDhiaa DeanJalisa ParamoreStephanie PeiskerErika Ramos,Jade RieboldAbigail Schmitz and Britney Whitehead.

Following the Drake Relays, EIU returns to action on May 3-4 hosting the 2013 Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Track Championships at O'Brien Field.