Eastern Illinois University’s men’s track and field team received two Ohio Valley Conference weekly awards following performances at the 116th Drake Relays, according to an April 30 announcement. Maliek Bush was named Male Field Athlete of the Week, while Machi Nelson earned Male Freshman of the Week honors.
The recognition highlights recent achievements by both athletes. Bush competed in two events, winning first place in the long jump with a distance of 24 feet, 1.75 inches against a field of 24 competitors. He also ran the third leg for Eastern Illinois’ 4×100 relay team, which finished ninth with a time of 41.60 seconds, narrowly missing qualification for the finals.
Nelson was recognized as OVC Male Freshman of the Week for his performances in both the long jump and high jump events. He placed seventh in the long jump with a mark of 23 feet, 3.25 inches and finished thirteenth in the high jump by clearing six feet, six inches. Nelson currently leads all conference athletes in long jump based on an earlier season performance at the EIU Big Blue Classic; this mark also ranks him forty-sixth regionally entering this week.
Eastern Illinois is scheduled to compete next at the Illinois Gary Wieneke Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
