Eastern’s cross country team made history at the Bradley Classic over the weekend.

Eastern’s men’s cross country finished fifth at the Bradley Classic over the weekend, with regionally ranked Southern Illinois winning the meet.

The women’s team finished ninth in the meet, with regionally ranked Illinois State taking the spot.

The men’s team saw many records broken at the meet.

Sophomore Bryce Basting led the men’s team once again, with a time of 24:23, good for a third place finish.

This time was the eighth best in Eastern history, and the best in over 30 years.

It’s also the best Eastern time ever at the Bradley Classic.

Junior Pablo Ramirez’s time of 25:00 was good for 18th in the race.

Junior Danny Delaney ran a time of 25:25 for 33rd at the meet.

Redshirt junior Matt Black finished 43rd with a time of 25:41.

This is the eighth fastest time in Eastern history at the Bradley Classic.

His time was 1:19 faster than at the 2011 Bradley Classic.

Red-shirt junior Michael Hesslau ran a time of 26:13, good for 75th at the meet.

Erin Howarth, head coach, said Hesslau has shown improvement during the season.

“Michael Hesslau made a huge improvement over two weeks ago and continues to make progress as our number five guy,” Howarth said.

Freshman Derrick Johnson broke out with a time of 26:16 for a 78th place finish.

He beat his personal record by over 1:15 and placed in the Eastern top seven for the first time all year.

The senior-led women’s team also broke records on the day.

Senior Olivia Klaus set the Eastern all-time record in the 6K with a time of 21:35, good for tenth at the meet.

“She had a huge race, the best of her career. And it is happening at just the right time,” Howarth said.

Fellow senior Britney Whitehead finished 18th in the meet with a time of 21:42, which is also the second best time in Eastern history.

Senior Erika Ramos finished 63rd with a time of 22:27, which is the seventh best time in Eastern history at the meet.

Ramos previously held the Eastern all-time record in the 6K with a time of 21:47 in 2011.

Senior Stephanie Peisker finished with a time of 22:33 for 67th place.

Freshman Amy Yeoman put up a time of 22:52, for 93rd at the meet.

Red-shirt freshman Kelsey Hardimon ran a time of 22:58 for 100th.

The Panthers will look to continue their improvement, as their next race is the OVC Championship on October 27.

Holden Fuehne can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].