Red Devils Open Indoor Season at Titan First Chance Meet

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Eureka cross country and distance team opened the indoor season on Friday night at the Titan First Chance Meet, hosted by Illinois Wesleyan.

The Red Devils turned in a strong opening performance with several personal records and podium finishes. The night began with four Eureka runners competing in the mile. Cole Glover (Hopkinsville, Ky./University Heights) led the way with an outstanding collegiate indoor debut, finishing second overall in a time of 4:38.84. His mark was a personal record and just 1.48 seconds shy of the school indoor mile record. Bailey Webster (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) followed closely behind, placing third with a time of 4:45.57. Britton Batson (Springfield, Tenn./Innovation Academy) and Evan Gillespie (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) were also making their collegiate indoor debuts in the mile, and both runners recorded personal bests. Batson crossed the line in 5:38.54, while Gillespie finished in 6:34.88.

Jose Amador (Kempton, Ill./Tri-Point) was Eureka's lone competitor in the 400-meter race, posting a time of 59.99. Despite rolling his ankle earlier in the week, Amador delivered a gutsy performance to open his indoor season.

Webster returned to the track later in the evening for the 800-meter run and earned another podium finish, placing third with a time of 2:09.85.

The meet concluded with the 3000-meter run, where Glover and Gillespie both made their first appearances at the distance. Glover finished sixth with a personal record time of 9:58.35, while Gillespie placed 12th and also set a new personal best, finishing in 13:09.35.

Head coach Chris Robinson reflected on the meet, saying the Titan First Chance Meet is "a great opportunity to come together one more time as a team to compete prior to finals and heading home for the Christmas break." He added that he was "very happy with the very early season performances," noting that Glover and Webster continue to show strong form, while Batson and Gillespie impressed in their track debuts with room to grow moving forward.

MEN'S RESULTS
400: Jose Amador – 59.99
800: Bailey Webster – 2:09.85 (3rd)
Mile: Cole Glover – 4:38.84 (PR, 2nd)
Mile: Bailey Webster – 4:45.57 (3rd)
Mile: Britton Batson – 5:38.54 (PR)
Mile: Evan Gillespie – 6:34.88 (PR)
3000: Cole Glover – 9:58.35 (PR)
3000: Evan Gillespie – 13:09.35 (PR)

UP NEXT

The Red Devils will pause for finals and the holiday break before returning to action at Illinois Wesleyan for the Coach Shoe Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 17.