Cross Country Wraps Up Season at NCAA Midwest Regional Meet
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Eureka cross country team concluded its season on Saturday morning at the NCAA Midwest Regional Meet, hosted by Augustana College.
On the men's side, Bailey Webster (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) was the first Red Devil to cross the finish line, completing the 8k race in 27:46.0 to secure a 146th-place finish. Tony DeLira (Chicago, Ill./Alcott) followed with a time of 29:17.9, while Jose Amador (Kempton, Ill./Tri-Point) finished shortly behind at 30:37.9. Michael Beaumont (Greenup, Ill./Cumberland) and Hayden Skaggs (Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield) rounded out the team, with Beaumont finishing in 35:50.7 and Skaggs at 45:07.6. The men's team placed 31st overall with 924 points.
On the women's side, Rachel Fisher (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) led the way for Eureka with a 6k time of 27:32.1. Emily Baker (Washington, Ill./Washington) followed with a time of 29:13.9. Isabella Carbajal (Chicago, Ill./Shepard) and Odessa Grove (Lewistown, Ill./Lewistown) rounded out the field for the Red Devils, posting times of 33:09.5 and 35:17.0, respectively.
For seniors Rachel Fisher, Emily Baker, Isabella Carbajal, Odessa Grove, Hayden Skaggs, and Tony DeLira, Saturday's meet marked their final race on a cross country course for Eureka. For DeLira, it was his last time wearing the Eureka uniform, as he will be graduating in December. However, this will not be the final time the other five seniors wear a Eureka uniform, as they will continue competing in indoor and outdoor distance events during the winter and spring seasons.
Head coach Chris Robinson and assistant coaches Zach and Ian were incredibly proud of this group for a season filled with accomplishments. The men achieved their highest finish in program history at the SLIAC Cross Country Championship, while the women's team earned their second All-Sportsmanship Award in the past four years. Webster and Fisher both earned All-SLIAC Second Team honors for their performances at the SLIAC Championship Meet. Webster also set a new program record in the 7k with a time of 24:16.36 on September 6 at the UIS Prairie Stars Invitational.
MEN'S RESULTS (8k)
Bailey Webster – 27:46.0
Tony DeLira – 29:17.9
Jose Amador – 30:37.9
Michael Beaumont – 35:50.7
Hayden Skaggs – 45:07.6
WOMEN'S RESULTS (6k)
Rachel Fisher – 27:32.1
Emily Baker – 29:13.9
Isabella Carbajal – 33:09.5
Odessa Grove – 35:17.0
UP NEXT
The Red Devils will have a few weeks to recover before beginning their indoor distance season. Eureka will kick off its indoor season on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Titan First Chance Meet, hosted by Illinois Wesleyan.