EIU's White sets javelin record

Eastern Illinois University javelin thrower Ron White had a record day Friday to open the two-day Ohio Valley Conference Track & Field Championships.

White set an OVC record and surpassed the automatic qualifying standard for the NCAA Championships with a distance of 248 feet, 10 1/2 inches. The previous OVC mark of 221-11 was held by Southeast Missouri State's Randy Johnson (1995).

"It's definitely nice to get the OVC record," said White, a senior ranked third nationally by Track & Field News. "And qualifying for nationals was a goal of mine."

While impressive, White said his toss Friday was not a personal best. That came last year, but it wasn't officially recorded because it took place during a redshirt season when White competed in a collegiate meet as an unattached athlete.

"I did better last year, but it won't go down in the books," White said.

White is part of an Eastern Illinois squad that is shooting for its sixth consecutive OVC outdoor championship. The Panthers got off to a strong start Friday with 67 points after five events to lead runner-up Southeast Missouri (42).

--Marty Mishow