Ideal Conditions Lead to Multiple PRs at Millikin Opener

DECATUR, Ill. – The Eureka cross country and distance team turned in a strong showing Saturday at the Millikin Big Blue Opener, taking advantage of ideal weather conditions to post multiple personal-best performances on the track.

The women opened competition in the 1500 meters, where Zoe Stoecker (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) delivered a standout performance, cutting more than 13 seconds off her previous best to finish in 7:00.69.

On the men's side, Eureka saw a series of strong efforts in the 1500 meters, led by Bailey Webster (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria). Webster paced the group with a personal-record time of 4:14.86, improving his previous mark by more than five seconds. Cole Glover (Hopkinsville, Ky./University Heights) followed with a 4:19.51, shaving over two seconds off his PR while leading his heat from start to finish. Jose Amador (Kempton, Ill./Tri-Point) bounced back from an ankle injury to post a 5:01.48, while Evan Gillespie (Jacksonville, Ill./Jacksonville) rounded out the event with a personal-best 5:53.10, trimming more than six seconds off his previous time.

The quartet returned to the track for the 800 meters, where Webster again led the way with a 2:05.50. Glover followed closely behind, notching a personal-best time of 2:06.80. Amador continued his strong return with a 2:19.96, while Gillespie made his 800-meter debut, finishing in 3:05.23.

WOMEN'S RESULTS

1500: Zoe Stoecker – 7:00.69 (PR)

MEN'S RESULTS

800: Bailey Webster – 2:05.50
800: Cole Glover – 2:06.80 (PR)
800: Jose Amador – 2:19.96
800: Evan Gillespie – 3:05.23
1500: Bailey Webster – 4:14.86 (PR)
1500: Cole Glover – 4:19.51
1500: Jose Amador – 5:01.48
1500: Evan Gillespie – 5:53.10 (PR)

UP NEXT

Eureka returns to action on Friday at the 81st annual Viking Olympics, hosted by Augustana in Rock Island. Competition is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.