Charleston, Ill. ? Junior Jennifer Jenkins (Calumet City, Ill./Thornwood) set a school record and claimed second place in the weight throw as the Braves opened up the 2006 track and field season at the Eastern Illinois Mega Meet in Charleston, Ill.

Jenkins' throw of 56'06" was the top performance on a day where juniors showed the way for a youthful Braves squad with 16 freshmen and sophomores dotting the roster. 

Fellow juniors Marcia Backstrom (Minonk, Ill./Fieldcrest) and Maya Monito-Webber (Iowa City, Iowa/Iowa City) put in solid performances for the Braves.  Backstrom claimed a seventh place finish in a competitive women's mile in 5:23.92 while Monito-Webber earned a spot in the 60-meter hurdles final after qualifying out of a heat that included the event's top two placers.

Head coach David Beauchem was encouraged by his upperclassmen's leadership despite entering a limited number of events.

"Early in the season, especially with such a young team, we really need our leaders to step up and lead by example. Jennifer, Marcia, and Maya certainly did that today. We defintely have a long way to go for this team to reach its full potential and we will only get there as the others follow the lead set by our upperclassman."

Miami (Ohio) was the team champion on the women's side winning 11 events and totaling 247.5 points.

A busy Bradley track schedule continues next weekend as the Braves head to Cedar Falls, Iowa. for the UNI Invitational on Friday.