EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE men's and women's track and field will compete in the Eastern Illinois Big Blue Classic in Charleston, Illinois April 3-4.

The Cougars will see Ohio Valley Conference opponent Eastern Illinois for the first time during the outdoor season.

"Eastern has quality programs year after year in the OVC. We expect them to compete at a high level and look forward to it," said Head Coach Eileen McAllister. "Our athletes look forward to facing tough competitors. We will respond and compete."

SIUE is coming off of an opening weekend at the Vanderbilt Invitational and WashU Invite that saw many positive results for the men's and women's teams. The Vanderbilt Invitational featured a first-place finish from sophomore Megan Lauzon in the shot put and senior Braxton Klavins in the 400 meters. 

"The progress we made last weekend was a starting point for the outdoor season," said McAllister. "We had athletes trying events for the first time, and we had athletes getting back in the swing of the outdoor season and the different strategies that come with it."

Also seeing positive opening meet results at Vanderbilt were senior Ahmad Evans, finishing second in the 200 meters, junior Jessica Oranika, finishing second in the 400 meters and senior Greg Block, posting two second-place finishes in the hammer throw and shot put.

"We want to build off of the PRs and basic starting points we made last weekend," said McAllister. "Our No. 1 goal is always progress. There were a lot of positive performances and breakthroughs last weekend from which to build."

The meet begins Friday at 2 p.m. and continues Saturday at 10 a.m.