Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Track and Field	Men's SIUE Track and Field SIUE Athletics

Jonathan Bannister Complete Results

May 9, 2005 Men's Track and Field Claim GLVC Championship         For the second consecutive year, the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men's track team claimed the Great Lakes Valley Conference Outdoor Championship.         The Cougars defeated second-place Lewis by 78 points.         "We had so many individuals step up and take accountability in winning this meet," said SIUE Track coach Ben Beyers. "All of these individuals came together and really rallied as a team. It would have been very difficult for any team to defeat us this weekend."         Beyers and men's track coach David Astrauskas were named GLVC coaches of the year.         Jonathan Bannister (Plano, Tex.) continued his successful season and strong performance by being named GLVC Athlete of the Year. Bannister broke his own school record in the 400 meters with a time of 46.95, improving his NCAA provisional qualifying time. He also improved his times in the 110- and 400-meter hurdles.         "Jonathan really has excelled this entire season," said Beyers. "I'm thrilled that he won the Athlete of the Meet."         Dustin Bilbruck (Gillespie) set the school record in the long jump with a distance of 23 feet and 4.75 inches (7.13 meters), making him a provisional qualifier. Bilbruck becomes the first Cougar to leap better than seven meters, breaking the record set by Ryan Gold (22-11.25, 6.99 meters) in 1999.         "Dusty really stepped up again in the long jump," said Beyers. "His early jumps took the wind out of the sails of the other competitors, and he took home the title.         Jeff Fearday (Teutopolis) won the 800 meters with a time of 1:53.33, bettering his provisional qualifying mark.         "He's had a dream senior season," said Beyers. "He won his first individual conference title with a tremendous come-from-behind victory in the 800. His grit and determination have set the tone for our program for now and in the future."         Fearday anchored the SIUE 400-meter relay team that set a new school record. The team of Brad Blevins (Gillespie), Kyle Rose (Kankakee), Jason Hall (Chicago), and Fearday ran a time of 41.50.         The Cougars 1600-meter relay team of Chris Wright (Richton Par), Fearday, Rose, and Bannister, notched a conference record with a mark of 3:13.49.         Junior Ryan Boyll (Bloomington) set a personal best winning the 1,500 meters with a time of 3:57.72. Boyll also won the 3,000 meter steeplechase.         Lee Weeden (Ferguson, Mo.) set a new school-record in the hammer throw with a toss of 179'6" (54.71m).         The Cougars will be at the Missouri Southern Last Chance Meet on Thursday before traveling to the Emporia State Last Chance Meet on Saturday in Emporia, Kan.                 -siue cougars-