Eureka Scores Four Top 25 Finishes in Wisconsin
WEST ALLIS, Wis. – The Eureka cross country and distance team left early for Wisconsin on Saturday morning, and came home with some hardware.
Between the men's and women's squads, the Red Devils earned four top 25 finishes.
In the men's race, Tony DeLira (Chicago, Ill./Alcott/Lincoln) placed eighth overall with a time of 28.04, while Bailey Webster (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) took 16th with a personal-record time of 28:54.
In the women's race, Karissa Heffernan (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) placed eighth overall with a personal record of 25:11.4 and Rachel Fisher (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) came in 22nd with a personal-record time of 27.06.7.
"Wisconsin was very good to us today," EC head cross country and distance coach Chris Robinson said. "It was sunny with a few clouds, still, and in the lower 60s for the race – excellent running weather. The Red Devils took full advantage."
All told, the women's team posted 4 PRs, two season-best times and two top-25 finishes en route to an eighth-place team finish.
Sarah Kimbro (Peoria, Ill./Metamora) was the team's third finisher, taking 34th place in a personal-record time of 28.54.2. She cut two minutes, twenty seconds off her previous best and received the "Coaches Pick" award – an award given to runners nominated by their coaches for special achievements.
Jaden Randall (Secor, Ill./Roanoke-Benson) finished 48th with a PR of 31:02, knocking 4:37 off her best time. Riley Reuter (Henry, Ill./Henry-Senachwine) finished right behind her with a 49th place in 31:12.6 – just five seconds off her PR.
Isabella Carbajal (Chicago, Ill./Shepard) returned from early season injuries and illness to make her season debut and finished 64th with a time of 35:50.8.
"The entire women's team continues to run extremely well," Robinson said. "They are getting stronger each week, and are becoming more confident each time they race. We have work to do, but are very excited for our next meet."
The men's team had two top-20 finishes, a PR, a season best, and a sixth-place finish overall.
Jose Amador finished 46th in 31:37. Javy Garcia (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) followed, taking 60th in 33:33.6, while Hayden Skaggs (Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield) rounded out the scoring for the Red Devils, coming in 84th with a season-best time of 49:22.7.
"The men looked strong and confident racing today," Robinson said. "As long as they stay positive and continue to put in the work over the coming weeks, good things are in store."
The Red Devils will next compete in the Greenville Classic on Friday, Oct. 14.
"Everything came together for both teams to help power them to strong individual and team finishes," Robinson added. "It was a special day, but we want more."