Red Devils Compete in First Outdoor Meet at Millikin

DECATUR, Ill. – The Eureka cross country and distance team competed outside for the first time this spring at the Big Blue Invite on Saturday.

The Red Devils were shorthanded, but they persevered through a chilly, windy and rainy meet.

On the men's side, Javy Garcia (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) led the way, doubling in the 1,500 and the 800. He set a new personal record in the 1,500, placing 14th with a time of 4:48.88, improving by nearly four seconds. He also took 17th in the 800 in 2:28.64, coming within two seconds off his personal best.

Bryce Logsdon (Boise, Idaho/Timberline) competed in both the 400 and the 800. He started off by taking 20th in a personal-record 1:00.73. Then, he turned around and came in 18th in 2:39.74.

On the women's side, four Red Devils competed in the 1,500. Riley Reuter (Henry, Ill./Henry-Senachwine) placed a team-best 18th in 6:31.41, just off her PR.

She was followed by a trio of teammates who recorded personal records in their collegiate outdoor debuts. Odessa Grove (Lewistown, Ill./Lewistown) came in 20th in 6:56.52, Sophia Simonis (West Frankfurt, Ill./Frankfurt) was next, coming in 21st in 7:07.14, and Nikki Tye (Kewanee, Ill./Wethersfield) was 23rd in 7:52.88.

In addition, Sarah Kimbro (Peoria, Ill./Mendota) was the lone Red Devil woman in the 800. She recorded a personal-record 3:08.05 in her collegiate outdoor debut.

"This was a really good opening meet for the outdoor season for the team," EC head cross country and distance coach Chris Robinson said. "They all handled the elements well, and ran strong, confident races. Coach Ian (Cummings) and I were particularly impressed with how strong each of them finished their races, running hard down the stretch and through the finish. They set the bar for themselves today, and will raise it in the weeks to come."

Next Saturday, Eureka will compete in the Bearcat Classic at McKendree.