The cross-country teams met their own expectations in the Eastern Illinois Invitational Sept. 16.
Junior Abbie Oliver presented the fastest time for the women’s team and sophomore Cole Cisneros led the men in the 8K course.
The women finished third out of 12 teams, six of which were OVC schools. Southern Illinois took first place, while Eastern Illinois finished second.
For the men, the Racers came in fifth place, while Eastern Illinois took first.
Out of 138 runners, Oliver placed 10th with a time of 18:46.94.
Junior Brittany Bohn finished close behind Oliver in 12th with a time of 18:46.01. Sophomore Alicyn Hester, senior Carolyne Tanui and sophomore Leah Krause all finished in the top 30.
Cisneros finished 29th in his first 8K with a time of 26:43.92. Freshmen Mitch Harris and Neil Yocky followed Cisneros, finishing within three seconds of one another.
Head Coach Jenny Severns said the teams are doing well, considering they are ahead of where they were this time last year.
Severns said she is confident that her runners will continue to improve.
“I’m content with where they are, but I’m not satisfied,” she said.
Oliver said the fast times so far this season give her some confidence.
“I just don’t want to get over confident,” she said. “I just work hard and hope to come back the next week with an even better time.”
Severns said the entire team is improving each week and she expects a lot out of this team come October.
Both teams have a week off of competition before the Saluki Invitational.
Story by Mallory Warmack, Contributing Writer