Track Selected As OVC Indoor Favorites

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Eastern Illinois Panthers were picked to finish first in both the men’s and women’s indoor track & field preseason coach’s poll voted on by Ohio Valley Conference coaches. Both teams are looking to repeat last year’s championship performances. 

Eastern Illinois earned three of four first place votes for nine points on the men’s side. The Panthers have won 11 of the past 13 men’s championships dating back to 1997. Eastern Kentucky, the 2008 champion, finished second with one first place vote for six points. Southeast Missouri also earned six points in the vote while Tennessee State rounded out the list with three points 

In the women’s side, Eastern Illinois earned six first place votes for 41 points, while Southeast Missouri finished with two first place votes for 38 points. Eastern Illinois also won the women’s championship in 2007. Southeast Missouri won the championship from 2004-2006 but has yet to win it since. Eastern Kentucky earned 30 points to finish third in the voting followed by Murray State, Tennessee State, Austin Peay, Jacksonville State and Tennessee Tech respectively. 

The 2010 Ohio Valley Conference Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Indoor Championships will be held Feb. 26-27 at Tennessee State’s Gentry Center in Nashville, Tenn. 

Men’s Poll 
1. Eastern Illinois (Three first-place votes) – 9 
T2. Eastern Kentucky (One first-place vote) – 6 
T2. Southeast Missouri – 6 
3. Tennessee State - 3 

Women’s Poll 
1. Eastern Illinois (Six first-place votes) – 41 
2. Southeast Missouri (Two first-place votes) – 38 
3. Eastern Kentucky – 30 
4. Murray State – 28 
5. Tennessee State – 21 
6. Austin Peay – 19 
7. Jacksonville State – 11 
8. Tennessee Tech - 8