Zye Boey has taken off for the last time in the Blue and White of the Panthers.

His final gun was heard in the 200-meter semi-finals Saturday night in Eugene, Ore., marking the end of his collegiate career.

Boey placed fifth in his heat with a time of 20.85 seconds, good enough for 13th overall, but not as fast as his previous 20.65, and not quite enough to compete in the Olympic Games in London.

Chicago native Wallace Spearmon Jr was the overall winner with a time of 19.82.

“I’ve done a lot since I’ve been here,” Boey said. “I’m happy with what I’ve done in my five-year career at Eastern.”

And that’s quite a bit to be getting done.

Being the OVC’s Male Track Athlete of the Year five times (three times outdoor, two times indoor) as well as a two-time All-American (100 and 200 meters) is a difficult feat to reach.

Boey has put the talent and hard work required to attain those statuses on display on a consistent basis over his career.

He places an even larger spotlight on a strong Track & Field program at Eastern.

“I’m glad I could be around to show how good EIU Track & Field coaches and athletic trainers are here,” Boey said. “And there’s more to come. Better is on the way.”

Boey says he wishes to continue putting EIU Track and Field on the map. Part of this may come as an extended result, and reward, of his and the team’s reputation as a solid Track & Field program.

“We’ve brought top recruits in, year-in, year-out, and OVC Championships,” Boey said. “I’m glad I could help with the recruiting and the media here at Eastern. Thanks to everyone for all the support, it definitely helped out a lot. I had a long, successful collegiate journey, but the best is yet to come.”

Eastern’s Track & Field program certainly will not be bolstered by Boey’s departure, but it should provide a chance for someone else, if not a few, to step into the spotlight and keep the strong program at the top of the OVC.

Who those athletes are remains to be seen, but history suggests the program will rebound and produce once again.

Eastern returns nine sprinters on the men’s side for next season, so the pool is deep.

Joshua Bryant can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].