Eastern Illinois director of track & field Keith Roberts has added to the Panther men's roster for next season with a trio of IHSA State qualifiers that will contribute for the Panthers in both throws and multi's. Set to join EIU next season are Ben Jessup, Jacob Maxwell and Alex Stout.
Jessup is from Catlin, Ill., competing at Salt Fork HS where he helped the school win back-to-back IHSA Class 1A State Championships as a junior and senior after the team placed second at the state championship during his sophomore year. Jessup was a member of the 4x100 relay state championship team running the second leg as the team posted a finals time of 42.81. He also ran the second leg on the 4x200 relay team that won silver at the state meet with a finals time of 1:30.01. As a junior he was again on the 4x100 and 4x200 relay teams that both placed second in the state while qualifying for the state meet as an individual in the discus. During his sophomore year he ran the lead leg of the state champion 4x200 relay team that won with a time of 1:31.0 while the 4x100 relay team was second at the state meet. In addition to relays and discus, Jessup also ran the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints.
Maxwell is from Tolono, Ill., competing at Unity HS where he was a two-time IHSA Class 2A state qualifier in the discus. Maxwell placed 14th in the state as a senior with a finals throw of 147'5". He was second at the Mattoon Sectional with a throw of 154'11" and his season best discus throw was 166'7.25". As a junior Maxwell was seventh in the state in Class 2A with a finals throw of 154'8". He was second at the Tolono Sectional in the event. During his career Maxwell also competed in the shot put, triple jump, 110 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles with sectional competition in the shot put and triple jump. Maxwell also lettered in football and basketball.
Stout is from Charleston, Ill., competing at Charleston High School where he was a two-time IHSA Class 2A state qualifier during his track career. As a senior he placed sixth in the state in the shot put with a finals throw of 52'0.75". He was the Mattoon Sectional champion in the shot put with a winning mark of 52'11.50" while placing fourth in the discus with a sectional throw of 144'0.75". As a junior he advanced to the state championships in the discus finishing 12th in the state with a finals throw of 146'8.25". He season best throw in the discus was at the Tolono Unity Sectional with a third place throw of 147'10.75". Stout also lettered in football and played in the Illinois High School Shrine Game as a senior.
The EIU men's track & field team won the Ohio Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship in 2023.
