Women 1st, Men 2nd At Friday Night Special

CHARLESTON, Ill. – In their final home meet before the OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships, the Eastern Illinois women's track team secured first place, while the men finish in a close second place at the EIU Friday Night Special.

Briana Walker and Ashley Fouch finished first and second respectively in the women's 200-meter dash. Walker finished the event at 25.63, as Fouch crossed the line at 26.38. Dhiaa Dean raced to a first place finish in the 400-meter dash (58.24).

Ivy Handley paced herself to the top time in the mile run for a new season best time (5:06.81), as Ruth Garippocompleted the 3000-meter run in second (10:24.30).

Teammates Amina Jackson and Tori Master placed first and second in the 400-meter hurdles. Jackson ended the event at 1:03.16, as Master finished not far behind at 1:05.57.

Master was joined by Shirley Jones, Kaitlyn Corzine, and Ashley Parola in the 4x400-meter relay as the team ended with the top time (4:10.04).

For the field events, Brion Portis jumped for the furthest distance in the triple jump (38'09.75"). Janie Howse set a new school record with her toss of 62'01.00" in the weight throw.

Christian Ilunga-Matthiesen got the night started for the EIU men with his first place finish in the 60-meter dash (6.76). The time is a new PR and has him place with the top time in the OVC and ninth best in EIU history.

Jamal Robinson and Calvin Edwards went one and two in the 200-meter dash respectively. Robinson crossed the tape at 22.05, as Edwards ended with a time of 22.21. Edwards followed up his efforts in the 200-meter dash with a first place finish in the 400-meter dash (49.78).

Matt Goldby cruised to a second place finish in the 600 meter run (1:24.16), as Brock Ramos followed suit with his second best time in the mile run (4:18.37). Tyler Keen rounded out the top two finishes for the EIU men with his second place time in the 5000-meter run (16:39.99).

The EIU women finished in first place overall (136), with Indiana State (125), Southern Illinois (86), Bradley (70), and Butler (29) rounding out the women's division.

Indiana State won the men's division (119), as EIU (116), Southern Illinois (70), Bradley (55), and Butler (36) completed the men's rankings.

The EIU indoor track & field teams will travel next weekend (Feb. 26-27) for the OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships. The championships will be hosted on the Tennessee State campus.