This weekend Eastern will host the Ohio Valley Conference indoor track and field championships at the Lantz Fieldhouse.

The men will be looking for their third consecutive OVC championship this weekend, while the women’s team is still looking for its first.

The men’s team will head into the OVC championship on a roll. The Panthers had a strong showing at the ‘Friday Night Special’ held in Charleston. While the ‘Friday Night Special’ was not a team scoring event, the Panthers did have many impressive performances.

In the 800-meter run, the Panthers owned the top five spots. Brad Runnion, a freshman from Lockport, won the meet in a time of 1:57.92. Freshman Nathan Pepper was a close second (1:58.47) and senior Nicholas Scafiezzo (1:58.53) rounded out the top three.

Senior Kyle O’Brien had another outstanding meet. The Panthers’ captain finished with second place in the mile run just a second behind the winning time of 4:13.13.

Men’s head coach Tom Akers praised his team for their solid performance at the meet and believes the team is ready for the OVC championship.

“I was really pleased with last week,” Akers said. “Last week was the first time (all year) that I saw what this team is capable of. If we can pull together like we did last week, we should have a really good weekend.”

Due to the deep field, the Panthers will need a complete team effort if they are to win their third straight OVC Indoor Championship. Eastern Kentucky and Southeast Missouri will be tough challengers and Akers believes this is the most difficult conference meet the Panthers have faced since they joined the OVC.

“Eastern Kentucky has vastly improved in the hurdles and sprints,” Akers said. “Southeast Missouri will be an excellent challenge in the field events and they have very strong individuals on the track.”

The women will rely on record-setting sophomore, Alicia Harris, to bring home their first OVC Indoor Championship. Harris has been tough to beat of late and in the process she has set school records in the 60-meters (7.70), 200-meters (25.10) and 400-meters (56.32). Head coach Mary Wallace said Harris will be difficult to stop this weekend.

“Alicia continued her hot streak last week,” Wallace said. “She will be a force to contend with in the sprint events.”

Another top performer for Eastern is sophomore Angie Simone. Simone won the 5,000 meter two weeks ago at Southern Illinois and last week at the ‘Friday Night Special’ she won the mile run by more than 20 seconds.

“Angie has been plugging away in preparation for this weekend and will be tough in the 3,000 and 5,000-meter events,” Wallace said.

While the underclassmen have been setting records and blowing out opponents, seniors Nicole Milici and Amanda Galvin have been steady all year in leading the distance corps.

“Nicole in the mile and Amanda Galvin in the 800-meters are both seniors who have done a great job of trying to develop a strong mentality in the distance group,” Wallace said. “I think our distance runners are ready to roll.”

Also, look for Tiffany Greenley to be a top competitor in the 20-pound weight throw.

“Tiffany has looked really good in practice and I think will perform well this weekend,” Wallace said.

According to Wallace, the Panthers’ recent string of success is proof they are ready for the OVC Championship.

“I think it’s just a sign the girls are ready to compete,” Wallace said.

Southeast Missouri, Tennessee State and Eastern Kentucky will be the top teams on the women’s side, but Wallace is confident her Panthers will be there in the end.

“Southeast Missouri is the favorite coming into the competition, but we hope to be there with them,” she said.