Senior Chandra Golden didn’t think the 100-meter hurdles was her best race of her career, but she still won.

“It started off as a good race,” Golden said. “I thought everything was clean. And then I didn’t pull my trail leg and (heard the foot click the hurdle around the fifth hurdle). I was able to pull it off.”

Golden was told by meet officials she is the first person to win the 100-meter hurdles four times in the 21 years of the meet.

Golden captured the event again Saturday at Western Illinois’ Lee Calhoun Invitational in Macomb.

“It felt good,” Golden said. “I haven’t had the greatest season. It felt good to have that under my belt.”

Golden’s win was one of 15 wins for the Eastern men’s and women’s track and field teams as the Panthers captured the team title for the second straight year.

Several Panthers moved up in the program record list with personal and season bests as the Eastern men’s team totaled 193.5 points top the 14-team field. The Eastern women’s team finished with 194 points to top its 16-team field.

“We’re actually running strong,” Golden said. “Our goal is being able to peak at conference. We’re coming together.”

Golden leads a top contingent of hurdlers this season. Junior Caitlin Finnegan finished second in the 400-meter hurdles in 1 minute, 2.28 seconds, which ranks fourth all-time in program history.

“For the last couple of years, it’s been hit or miss on the women’s side (for hurdlers),” Golden said. “I’m looking forward to conference.”

Junior Andrea Fabiano’s runner-up finish in the 100-meter hurdlers in 14.52 seconds ranks seventh all-time in program history.

Red-shirt sophomore Megan Gingerich won the 800-meter run in a personal best time in 2:10.97, which ranks fourth all-time.

For the men’s side, sophomore Sean Wiggan won the 800-meter dash, junior Preston Smith won the 400-meter hurdles, junior Darren Patterson won the 400-meter dash, sophomore Matt Feldhake won the 10,000-meter run and senior Jason Springer won the 1,500-meter dash. Freshman Scott Mammoser in the pole vault.

On the women’s side, freshman Jill MacEachen and sophomore Queenie Adeboyejo won the long jump and triple jump respectively. Senior Kandace Arnold won the shot put. Both squads also won the 400- and 1,600-meter relays.

The Panthers return to action at the Southern Illinois Edwardsville’s Twilight Open on Saturday in Edwardsville.

Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected].