CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois men’s cross country coach Geoff Masanet has announced the signing of two runners who will join the Panthers squad for the 2008 season. Signing national letters of intent were Matt Feldhake and Jordan Patterson.
Feldhake is a senior at St. Anthony High in Effingham, Ill., where he was the 2006 IHSA Class A State Champion in cross country as a junior. He posted a winning time of 14:55 on the 3 mile course. He placed sixth as a sophomore and 11th as a senior running with a lower leg injury. As a track athlete Feldhake placed third in the IHSA Class A championships in the 3200m and seventh in the 1600m in 2007. He is generally regarded as one of the top small school runners in the state and should be a contender for the state title this spring in both the 3200m and 1600m runs.
“We are excited to have Matt joining our track/xc programs and Eastern Illinois University,” said Masanet. “He is somebody we have had our eyes on for several years and he is one of the fiercest competitors I have ever seen. Matt will have an immediate impact for us both in cross country and track.”
Patterson is a senior runner at Williamsville High in Sherman, Ill., where he was the sixth place finisher in this year’s IHSA Class A state cross country championship with a time of 15:12 in the 3 mile run. He improved from a 30th place finish in the state meet as a junior. In track he placed 12th in the IHSA Class A championships in the 3200m run as a junior.
“Jordan is one of the most improved runners in the state and has almost unlimited potential,” Masanet added. “He has a great love of running and has the determination and drive to have a direct impact on our teams as a freshman. We are thrilled to have Jordan coming to EIU.”