Red Devils Continue to Improve at True Blue Invite
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Eureka cross country and distance team competed in the True Blue Invite at Illinois College on Saturday and continued to show improvement.
Despite a limited roster due to scheduling conflicts and injuries, the Red Devils made a strong effort, recording seven new personal records on a breezy but sunny day on the oval.
Six of EC's seven PR came on the men's side.
Bailey Webster (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) led the way with a sixth-place finish in the 5,000-meter run in 16:31.84, and Tony DeLira (Chicago, Ill./Alcott/Lincoln) took ninth in 16:54.99.
Webster also notched a PR in the 800, taking 24th in 2:07.26. He was followed by Michael Beaumont (Greenup, Ill./Cumberland), who came in 34th in 2:31.03. Beaumont also posted a PR of 5:05.75 in the 1,500.
Jose Amador (Kempton, Ill./Tri-Point) turned in a pair of PRs as well, placing seventh in the Steeplechase in 11:25.79 and coming in 17th in the 400 in 55.77.
Emily Baker (Washington, Ill./Washington) placed fifth in the 5,000 in a PR-setting time of 22:26.86 to headline the women's side.
In the 800, Rachel Fisher (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) came in 10th 2:32.31, and she was followed by Sarah Kimbro (Peoria, Ill./Metamora) with a 24th-place finish in 3:25.86.
In the 1,500, Kimbro and Odessa Grove (Lewistown, Ill./Lewistown) took 34th and 35th in 6:47.29 and 6:56.26, respectively.
Isabella Carbajal (Chicago, Ill./Shepard) finished 17th in the 400 in 1:14.45.
"Coach Ian (Cummings) and I were happy to see the team pick up from where they left off last week," EC head coach Chris Robinson said. "Along with the PRs, we had a few season-best performances. which means we are heading in the right direction – definitely looking forward to having everyone back healthy soon."
Eureka's outdoor season will continue next Saturday with the Greenville Select.