The Eastern men’s track and field team continued its perfect outdoor season while defending its home track as the Panthers were victorious in the Big Blue Classic this weekend at O’Brien Stadium.

The Panthers (211 points) coasted to their second victory, finishing ahead of second-place Ball State (175) by 36 points. The Sycamores of Indiana State were just a half-point behind the Cardinals and local rival Illinois State finished a distant fourth with 126.5 total team points.

Men’s head coach Tom Akers was satisfied with the first-place finish, but noted the Panthers are not feeling overconfident despite back to back wins to start the outdoor season.

“I was pretty pleased with the performance,” Akers said. “But I don’t know about (getting overconfident). We set high goals both as a team and individually.”

Senior sprinter Jarrod Macklin led the charge for the Panthers, winning both the 200 and 400-meter dashes. The 2001 Ohio Valley Conference Outdoor Athlete of the Year was the only competitor to finish the 200-meters in under 22 seconds with a time of 21.79. Macklin then edged Chris Adams of Western Illinois by one second to win the 400-meters in 48.29.

Jermaine Jones also provided dual winners for Eastern. Jones, who finished runner-up in both the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles at the 2002 classic, was unstoppable this year winning the 110-meters (14.66 seconds) and the 400-meters (52.47).

“Jermaine won both races and had a really big day in the hurdles,” Akers said.

If the weather was more favorable Saturday, Jones may have challenged his personal best time of 50.90 in the 400-meter hurdles set last year at Southern Illinois. Akers pointed out the conditions were less than ideal for the athletes.

“It was 38 degrees with a wind chill of 31 degrees- that is a little chilly to be outside in shorts and a tank top,” Akers said. “It was difficult to have good times.”

The classic also provided Panther fans with a glimpse into the future as freshman Jake Stout had a breakout day in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. The Lockport Township graduate finished second behind Illinois State senior John Shaffer. Stout’s time of 9 minutes, 39.44 seconds was a new personal best.

The steeplechase is an outdoor only event and Akers believes the Panthers are tougher as a team outdoors because the team is able to utilize talent like Stout and sophomore thrower Aaron Grobengeiser.

“We’re definitely better with the added events,” Akers said. “Stout will score well in the steeplechase (all season) and Aaron threw close to a personal best (at the Big Blue Classic.) We’re off to a good start in those events.”

As the men capped off their second outdoor win in consecutive weeks, the Panther women finished in the middle of the pack for the second time in two outdoor meets. The women had a disappointed sixth-place finish, but head coach Mary Wallace said there was a few positives.

“We had some good individual efforts, but I was hoping for a stronger performance, but we couldn’t come through,” Wallace said.

One of those individuals who did come through was distance runner Angie Simone who gave the Panthers a strong performance in the 10,000-meters. The sophomore from Hazel Crest, set a new personal best in the event with a second place time of 36:47.02.

Sophomore sprinter Elaine Hayes had her best meet to date and proved she can give the Panthers another threat in 200 and 400-meters besides sophomore standout Alicia Harris. Hayes finished seventh and ninth in the 200 and 400-meters respectively.

“Elaine had a breakthrough meet in the two events and Alicia Harris had a solid weekend as well,” Wallace said.

Tiffany Greenley started her much anticipated season with a bang. The senior thrower did not compete last week but placed third in the throwing event with a distance of 157 feet, 11 inches.

“Tiffany opened up well,” Wallace said. “She is reeking havoc on the competition.”

Unfortunately, the women could not overcome the dismal weather and the fierce competition. Schools from the Missouri Valley Conference, Indiana State and Illinois State, finished first and second and Ball State of the Mid-American Conference rounded out the top three.

“The weather had a severe effect on the athletes,” Wallace said. “It didn’t effect everyone, but some let it (the cold) get to them to quickly. We were facing stiff competition and we needed to come through stronger. The women’s team is still learning how to compete.”

The men and women will be back in action next Saturday when they travel to Macomb to face Western Illinois.