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

Jonathan Bannister

May 17, 2005 Men's Accepted Entry List SIUE Men's Track and Field Qualify Seven For Nationals         EDWARDSVILLE, ILL. — The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville men's track and field team will send seven individuals to the NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships at Abilene Christian University's Elmer Gray Stadium in Abilene, Texas, on May 26-28.         The field for the 2005 championships was announced Tuesday. The Cougars will have athletes competing in six different events. SIUE is just two weeks removed from winning its second consecutive Great Lakes Valley Conference Track and Field Outdoor Championship.         "It is an exciting time for SIUE Track and Field," said SIUE men's track coach Dave Astrauskas. "Hopefully, we will be able to come home with numerous All-Americans."         Great Lakes Valley Conference Male Athlete of the Year Jonathan Bannister (Plano, Tex.) leads the way with three events. He will be running the 400-meter dash, the 400-meter hurdles and a leg of the 4x400-meter relay. He ranks 10th in the 400-meter dash with a time of 46.95 seconds.         "He’s really stepped up this year," said SIUE track coach Ben Beyers. "His determination is going to really carry him during this national meet. It’ll be a homecoming of sorts for him since the meet is in Texas."         Two other Cougars will be competing in the 400-meter dash as senior Jeff Fearday (Teutopolis) and freshman Kyle Rose (Kankakee).         "Jeff has just been a monster this year," said Beyers. "He really had the desire to go out on top during his senior year. Kyle was an indoor All-American in the 400 (meters), so he knows what it takes to get to the awards stand."         The trio will be joined by freshman Ryan Nowakowski (Rochester) in the 4X400-meter relay. The Cougars rank sixth in the 1600-meter relay.         The team 4x400-meter relay team gained All-American status during the Indoor Championships.         "This team was 4th at nationals indoors, and they are all running very well right now," said Beyers. "I know this team is looking for big things at the national meet."         Lee Weeden (Ferguson, Mo.) will be tossing the shot put at nationals. His consistency throughout the year may help him take his game to another level. Weeden ranks eighth with a toss of 56 feet and 4.75 inches (17.19 meters).         "This week we will be fine tuning his technique and working on finishing the throw," said Astrauskas. "Lee was an All-American in the weight throw during the indoor season so he is familar with the national stage."         Anthony Weber (Marengo), a sophomore, qualified in the pole vault for the Cougars. Weber's school record of 16'4.75" (5.01 meters) places him 10th heading into the event.         "Anthony has been real consistant for us all year long," said Astrauskas. "He has been getting better each week and should be a contender at nationals."         Senior Phil Freimuth (Effingham), will be throwing the javelin for SIUE. Freimuth toss of 205'1" (62.51 meters) on May 14 ranks him 15th going into national.         "Phil has been battling an ankle injury all outdoor season," said Astrauskas. "He has shown a lot of character by staying confident and focused on what he needs to do."         Freshman Chris Wright (Richton Park) will serve as an alternate on the 4x400 meter relay team.         -siue cougars-