Red Devils Post Multiple PRs, School Record at Illinois College

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – The Eureka cross country and distance team competed Friday night at the Hilltop Invitational hosted by Illinois College, turning in multiple personal-best performances and another record-breaking effort as the Red Devils prepare for the SLIAC Indoor Championships next weekend.

The women opened the meet in the mile, where Zoe Stoecker (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) started the night strong with a personal-record time of 7:28.96, improving her previous best by more than three seconds.

On the men's side, the mile group followed suit with a pair of personal records and a season-best performance. Cole Glover (Hopkinsville, Ky./University Heights) led the way with a collegiate personal-best of 4:38.37, while Jose Amador (Kempton, Ill./Tri-Point) recorded a season-best time of 5:17.04. Evan Gillespie (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) also posted a personal record, cutting more than six seconds off his previous best to finish in 6:17.42.

Amador and Glover later returned to compete in the 800 meters alongside Bailey Webster (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria). Glover finished in 2:09.63 with consistent splits throughout his heat, while Amador clocked a time of 2:18.63. Webster once again added his name to the record book, setting a new school record with a personal-best 2:03.29. The performance marked Webster's sixth school record in six races entered over the past four weeks. Webster currently ranks second in the conference this season in the 800 meters, mile, and 3,000 meters.

Head coach Chris Robinson praised the team's continued development.

"I am really proud of how this team has progressed throughout the season," Robinson said. "Each and every one of them are improving each week and are excited for next weekend."

WOMEN'S RESULTS

Mile: Zoe Stoecker (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) – 7:28.96 (PR)

MEN'S RESULTS

Mile: Cole Glover (Hopkinsville, Ky./University Heights) – 4:38.37 (PR)
Mile: Jose Amador (Kempton, Ill./Tri-Point) – 5:17.04 (Season Best)
Mile: Evan Gillespie (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) – 6:17.42 (PR)
800: Bailey Webster (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria) – 2:03.29 (PR, School Record)
800: Cole Glover (Hopkinsville, Ky./University Heights) – 2:09.63
800: Jose Amador (Kempton, Ill./Tri-Point) – 2:18.63

UP NEXT

Eureka heads to Elsah, Ill., for the SLIAC Indoor Championships hosted by Principia on Saturday in its final indoor meet of the season.