Red Devils Make Outdoor Distance Debut at Millikin

DECATUR, Ill. – The Eureka cross country and distance team made its outdoor season debut on a windy day at the Millikin Big Blue Alumni Invite this weekend.

Karissa Heffernan (Metamora, Ill./Metamora/Lewis) opened the day with a third-place finish in the 1,500 in 5:17.78. She ran a smart race, hanging with the top group and using the leaders as a shield for the wind, and then making her move into the top three on the bell lap.

Sarah Kimbro (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) and Odessa Grove (Lewistown, Ill./Lewistown) also competed in the race, with the former making her 1,500 debut and coming in 29th in 6:33, and the latter taking 29th in 7:38.81 in her distance season debut.

Rachel Fisher (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) placed eighth overall and second in her heat in the 400-meter dash in 1:07.89. Alyssa Bryant (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) – a midfielder on the women's soccer team – made her Red Devil debut in the race, taking 18th in 1:21.28.

In the final women's race, Heffernan and Fisher came in 10th and 11th in the 800 in 2:34.33 and 2:35.75, respectively, while Kimbro came in 31st in 3:19.16.

On the men's side, Jose Amador (Kempton, Ill./Tri-Point), Khalil Alleyne (Diego Martin, Trinidad/Fatima College/Lincoln), Bailey Webster (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) and Hayden Skaggs (Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield.) all competed together in the 1,500.

Amador led the team with a 20th-place finish in 4:46.31. Webster followed, taking 31st in 4:58.75, Alleyne was next (36th in 5:06.50) and Skaggs rounded it out, coming in 48th in 6:30.76.

Later, Alleyne took 15th overall in the 400 in 57.96. Amador won his heat and came in 21st overall in 59.47, while Skaggs finished 27th in 1:10.9.

"Overall it was a challenging day due to the weather," EC head coach Chris Robinson said. "Coach Ian and I were proud of them for the effort they put out in less than ideal conditions. As always there were a lot of laughs and great support for each other. Meets like this help you prepare mentally to be able to push through challenging situations, and still turn in a strong performance.

"We are looking forward to a warmer, and hopefully calmer day next Friday at Illinois College."