Jake Byrne from men’s basketball and Kandace Arnold from the women’s indoor track team have been name the Eastern Illinois student-athletes of the month for February 2008. Each month during the school year one male and one female student-athlete will be recognized for their outstanding performance in their sport.
Byrne, a senior forward from Elsberry, Mo., averaged 13.5 points per game over the final month of the season including two double-doubles to end his career. He scored a career-high 30 points on Feb. 28 against Jacksonville State. He shot 57.1 percent from the month and ended his career in the top 10 for career field goal percentage at EIU.
Arnold, is a sophomore thrower in track from Evergreen Park. Ill. She picked up first team and second team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors at the OVC Indoor Track meet. At the OVC meet Arnold set two personal bests in the shot put and weight throw. Her distance in the weight throw of 58’06.75” set a school record while her shot put distance of 48’03.50” ranks third best in EIU history.
Previous Winners
August 2007 - Donald Thomas (Football), Kellie Floyd (W Soccer)
September 2007 - Mick Galeski (M Soccer), Molly Clutter (W Rugby)
October 2007 - Ademola Adeniji (Football), Carrie Riordan (W Golf)
November 2007 - Joe Laird (M Swimming), Laura Nilsen (W Swimming)
December 2007 – Romain Martin (M Basketball), Maggie Kloak (W Basketball)
January 2008 - Obe Eruteya (M Track), Rachel Galligan (W Basketball)
February 2008 – Jake Byrne (M Basketball), Kandace Arnold (W Track)