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Eastern Illinois Athletics wrapped up its 20th year as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in May.  As a way to celebrate the many accomplishments, both team and individual during that time period, EIU conducted an online poll during the month of May for fans to help select the Top 20 athletes of the Panthers OVC Era.  During the month of June we will unveil the top 20 athletes as selected by the more than 2,500 fan votes submitted.  The original list of 40 athletes was comprised by a committee looking at a variety of criteria including Player of the Year, All-American selection and multiple time first-team All-OVC honors.  
 
#10 Amber May (2009-11)
 
May pitched the EIU softball team to its most successful season as an NCAA Division I member as she was named the OVC Pitcher of the Year in 2011.   As a senior May led EIU to a 40-12 record including the Panthers first Ohio Valley Conference regular season title.  A transfer after one season at a junior college, May earned All-OVC Newcomer team honors in 2009 before landing on the All-OVC team her final two years.  She posted 23 wins, second most in school history, as a senior to earn second team All-Region honors.   All three of May's season's in the circle saw her post win totals that rank in the school's single season career top ten.  She finished her playing days with 57 wins and 582 strikeouts, both totals were second at EIU following her graduation and now rank third on the Panthers career list.  In addition May ranks second in career saves and third in career innings pitched.
 
May currently works as an assistant director of Alumni Services at Eastern Illinois.

EIU OVC Era Top 20 Countdown
#20 - Meleah Cutler (Volleyball / 1996-99)
#19 - Sean Lyons (Baseball / 1996-99)
#18 – Rick Kaye (Men's Basketball / 1995-98)
#17 – Jade Riebold (W Track / 2012-14)
#16 – Rachel Galligan (W Basketball / 2006-09)
#15 – Cara LeMaster (W Soccer / 1999-02)
#14 – Erica Gerth (Volleyball / 2001-04)
#13 – Kandace Arnold (W Track / 2007-10)
#12 – Reynae Hutchinson (Volleyball & Softball / 2010-14)
#11 – Erik Lora (Football / 2009-13)

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