So much for a rebuilding era.

When John Craft retired as women’s track and field coach last May many believed that the Panthers were headed for a rebuilding stage, but with distance runner Nicole Milici donning the blue and white the word ‘rebuilding’ is not in the Panther vocabulary.

Milici, a junior from Mt. Prospect, has been a key runner for the Panthers in the early part of the indoor track season.

At the EIU Quadrangular last weekend, Milici finished in the top three in the two events she competed in. Milici’s 5:09.54 mile was just four seconds off Alicja Czjaka of Northern Illinois’ winning time and good enough for second place. In her second event, the 800-meter, Milici was less then a second away from finishing first.

“She is doing very well right now,” Eastern head coach Mary Wallace said.

Not only has Milici been competing at a high level, but she is also one of most versatile members of the track team. At any given meet she can compete in up to four events.

“Nicole’s favorite event is the 800-meter,” Wallace said. “But she will also compete in the mile and the long distance events. She is even an alternate on the 4×400 relays.”

With all of the practicing Milici does it would be understandable if she did not take on a big leadership role. But according to Wallace that could not be further from the truth. Milici is one of the most vocal Panthers.

“Nicole has definitely taken on a leader’s role,” Wallace said. “She is very focused on training our young core of distance runners. Nicole has really become a role model to them.”

The Panthers are not just a one-woman team. Milici has been surrounded by other talented teammates such as Alicia Harris and Lexie Nuckolls.

“Alicia Harris has really been running well lately and Lexie Nuckolls has been coming on strong in the 60-meter,” Wallace said

Harris took home first place in the 400-meter dash while Nuckolls won the 60-meter dash at the EIU Quadrangular.

With the success of Milici and her teammates the Panthers are not thinking about rebuilding, but winning the Ohio Valley Conference in February.

“It is very early to tell how we’ll do in the OVC,” Wallace said. “We definitely have athletes that are very competitive and we are looking forward to winning the OVC.”

Much like the women the Panther men are also enjoying success during the first few months of the indoor season.

Head coach Tom Akers has a talented group lead by senior Kyle O’Brien that is looking to win the OVC title for the second time in three years.

O’Brien is one of the most decorated athletes in Eastern track and field history. Last year he was named the OVC Runner of the Year and First Team All-OVC.

Besides taking home the OVC award for best runner, O’Brien won the 3,000-meter and the 5000-meter at the OVC Championships last February in Charleston.

O’Brien began this season where he left off last year by winning the 3,000-meter. His time of 8:49.07 was good enough for the win at the ‘2002 Early Bird’ held last month.

“Kyle is a dedicated worker that lets his performances do the talking,” Akers said. “Lately, he has been sending a message to the rest of the OVC.”

Regardless of his times this year, O’Brien has already cemented his name in the Panther record books.

O’Brien has the 10th best time in the 3,000-meters at 8:24.42 and is currently eighth in the 5,000-meters with a personal best of 14:31.33.

“O’Brien always seems to be a machine for us,” Akers said.

Even though the weather may be cold outside, O’Brien will be heating up the Lantz Fieldhouse all winter long.