EC Men’s Cross Country Tops Blackburn in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Eureka cross country team competed in the Illinois College Cross Country Invitational on Saturday.

On the men's side, the Red Devils were at full strength for the first time this season in an 8k race and bested St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foe Blackburn in scoring, 149-158.

The team had five runners in the race, with Javy Garcia (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) leading the way on a challenging course. The junior placed 21st in 34:25. Freshman Nick Rulevish (Addieville, Ill./Okawville) followed, coming in 24th in 36.03.

Senior Bryce Logsdon (Boise, Idaho/Timberline) was third on the Red Devils in his first 8k race with personal record of 42:55. Collin Lister (Normal, Ill./University) and Hayden Skaggs (Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield) rounded out the team, coming in 34th in 47:45 and 39th in 52 minutes, respectively. Skaggs, a freshman, improved his PR by 43 seconds.

On the women's side, the Red Devils only had two runners. Sophomore Riley Reuter (Henry, Ill./Henry-Senachwine) took 24th in 36:21 and Odessa Grove (Lewistown, Ill./Lewistown) was 26th in 39:10 in the 6k race.

"We are making steady progress," EC coach Chris Robinson said, "and the team is learning more each week about what it takes to be successful."

Next Friday, EC cross country will be back in action at the Greenville Classic.