CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois athletic director Barbara Burke has announced that three current Eastern Illinois student-athletes have been awarded the Charles P. and Mary E. Lantz Scholarships. The scholarship is named in honor of Charles Lantz and his wife Mary and is awarded to one of more persons who will be seniors in the fall and have demonstrated outstanding athletic, leadership and academic qualities. Lantz served as EIU's first athletic director from 1911-1952.

The three athletes earning the award for the 2009-10 school year are Hayley Homburg from women's tennis, Jeff Rutherford from men's tennis and Lauren Zillmer from women's swimming.

Homburg has served as the team captain for the past two seasons helping guide the Panthers to the OVC Tournament as a freshman and junior. She was named the OVC Freshman of the Year in 2007 and is one only two players EIU to ever be nationally ranked climbing to No. 65 in 2008. Homburg is from Monona, Wis., and holds a 3.26 GPA in kinesiology and sport studies.

Rutherford was the team captain in 2009 helping guide the Panthers to the OVC Tournament playing at No. 1 singles. He is a two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection earning first team honors in 2008 and second team honors in 2009. Rutherford is from Richmond, Ky., and holds a 3.97 GPA in business management.

Zillmer was one of the team's vocal leaders in 2009 earning second team All-Summit League honors as a member of two record setting relay teams. She was a conference finalist in all three individual events posting personal bests in each event. She will be a team captain for the 2010 season. Zillmer is from Park Ridge, Ill., and holds a 3.34 GPA in kinesiology and sport studies.