EC Cross Country Ups the Competition at Spartan Classic

AURORA, Ill. – The Eureka cross country team took on a tough course on a sunny day at the Spartan Classic in Aurora on Saturday.

On the women's side, the Red Devils moved up from a two-mile race at Normal to a 6k race.

For the second straight week, the Red Devils were led by a trio of Metamora Redbirds.

Karissa Heffernan (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) paced the team with a top 50 finish, placing 44th with a time of 26:29. She was followed by Rachel Fisher (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) in 94th with a time of 28:59.7, while Sarah Kimbro (Peoria, Ill./Metamora) rounded out the team's top three, finishing in 124th with a time of 31:14.9. Jaden Randall (Secor, Ill./Roanoke-Benson) was next, placing 147th with a time of 35:39.

It was the first time 6k for Fisher, Kimbro and Randall. Returning veterans Riley Reuter (Henry, Ill./Henry-Senachwine) and Odessa Grove (Lewistown, Ill./Lewistown) finished in 149th in 37:26 and 155th in 41:01.

As a team, the Red Devils came in 13th out of 15 teams with 365 points.

On the men's side, Eureka saw more strong performances from its newcomers as the distances increased to 8k.

Freshman Bailey Webster led the way in his first 6K, finishing 131st with a time of 30:08. Lincoln transfer Tony DeLira was right on his heels with a 132nd-place finish in 30:08.

"It's a shock to the system and they handled it well," EC coach Chris Robinson said of the increase in distance. "Seeing Bailey and Tony battle, and finish that close together, was fantastic. Two teammates pushing to make each other better, but then also finish together is great."

Senior Javy Garcia came in 221st with a time of 36:27 and Hayden Skaggs (Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield) followed, taking 247th in 53:59.

"Overall, Coach Ian (Cummings), Coach Zach (Sancken) and were happy with the race today," Robinson said. "It was evident at the finish that they left it all out there on a hot and challenging course. It was a great opportunity to run against strong competition, and get experience on the course that will be the site of the Midwest XC Regionals on Nov 12.

"We are building and getting stronger each week."

The Red Devils will be back in action on Friday in Peoria at Detweiller Park. The women's race will start at 5:15 p.m., with the men's to follow.