By Chuck Babinski

Staff writer

In preparation for the outdoor season, the men’s track team opened with a strong start at a preliminary meet at Florida State University over spring break.

Although not scored as a team event, the meet gave members of the track team a chance for some early season competition. Local schools Southern Illinois University and Bradley University sent teams to compete with southern schools Georgia Tech, Florida State and Florida A&M University at the 2001 Snowbird Invitational.

“Kyle O’Brien and Dan Mackey haven’t had a chance to compete in a long time,” head coach Tom Akers said. “They both ran well in the 1,500.”

“I was really pleased with how we did,” he said. “We had some really good performances.”

Mainstays Jarrod Macklin and Jason Bialka already appear to be in midseason form. Macklin won the 200-meter dash and took third in the 400. Bialka placed first in the 1,500 and the 5,000. Qunicy Jackson finished third in the long jump.

“At this time of year, it was good to get a few outdoor practices in,” Akers said. “We had great weather for the entire trip.”

There are other reasons for optimism, and one of those is the success Eastern had in the javelin throw. When defending Ohio Valley Conference thrower Ron White, who finished 22nd in the U.S. Olympic trials, was redshirted this year, the javelin looked to be one of Eastern’s weaker events. But then in stepped Jon Borque.

Borque, a distance runner, decided to try his hand at the javelin. The result? He won the event with a throw of 196′ 3″.

Akers really didn’t know what to expect when Borque approached him about trying the javelin.

“He’s been throwing very well,” Akers said. “By the end of the year we hope he is throwing over 200 (feet).”

The track team officially opens the outdoor season this weekend at a small meet at Southern Illinois University which will include the University of Illinois in the field. All seems to be going according to plan for the Panthers, winners of the outdoor OVC title in four of the last five years.

“(At Florida State), we accomplished what we set out to do,” Akers said. “We had a good showing and got some early practice to get ready for the outdoor season.”