BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois cross country opened the 2010 season with a solid showing at its own Panther Invite on Friday afternoon and this week the Panthers swept the Ohio Valley Conference weekly cross country awards. Matt Feldhake and Olivia Klaus were honored by the OVC.

Feldhake, a junior from Effingham, placed first in a field of 81 runners to win the EIU Panther Invite. He covered the 8K distance in a time of 25:39.69 just edging a runner second place finisher from North Dakota. The men placed first in the double dual scoring event.

Klaus, a sophomore from Eureka, helped the women post a solid finish at the Panther Invite. She was fourth overall with a 5K time of 18:15.93.

EIU will continue its season this Friday competing at the Illinois Intercollegiate hosted by Illinois State.