Cross country teams headed to Bradley Pink Classic

Josh+Whitaker%2C+a+graduate+student+studying+exercise+science%2C+makes+a+dash+for+the+last+stretch+in+the+Walt+Crawford+Open+Friday+afternoon+at+the+Panther+Trail.+Whitaker+finished+fourth+in+the+race+with+a+time+of+25%3A44.7+with+an+average+mile+time+of+5%3A10.8.

Rob Le Cates

Josh Whitaker, a graduate student studying exercise science, makes a dash for the last stretch in the Walt Crawford Open Friday afternoon at the Panther Trail. Whitaker finished fourth in the race with a time of 25:44.7 with an average mile time of 5:10.8.

Dylan Meek, Cross Country Reporter

The Eastern Illinois Cross Country teams head to Peoria for the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday.

The first race begins at 1:30 PM. The Men’s team will compete in the 8K, and the Women will compete in the 6K. The last meet before Conference combined for the meet there are 68 teams competing including OVC foes Lindenwood, SEMO, and SIUE.

Eastern is coming off a 13th place finish in the Louisville Classic for the men’s team, Dustin Hatfield led the way once again for the Panthers setting the school record in the 8K finishing 5th at 23:26. Adam Swanson finished 66th with a time of 24:27, Richie Jacobo finished 78th with a time of 24:38.

Finishing the top 5 for Eastern was Josh Whittaker and Andrew Pilat finishing 118th and 131st with times of 24:56 and 25:01. At last year’s Bradley Pink Classic Eastern finished second as a team with Dustin Hatfield finishing second overall at 23:52 success Eastern and he would like to have again this year. The men’s team is ranked 14th once again in the Midwest entering the meet.

The women’s team is coming off a 26th place finish out of 41 teams; in the 5K Kate Bushue led the way for the woman’s team finishing 59th with a time of 17:44. Sarah Carr finished 146th with a time of 18:24, followed by Katie Springer in 157th with a time of 18:28. Rounding out the top 5 for Eastern was Makenzie Aldridge and Sam Mabry finishing 185th and 213th with times of 18:37 and 18:53. The meet this week will be a showcase of schools throughout all 3 divisions in the Midwest in the last non-conference meet for teams.

Dylan Meek can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]