McLean County Times

The Illinois State University Cross Country team commenced its 2024 season at the Hawkeye Invitational on Friday afternoon, held at the Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City.

In the women's race, sophomore Trixie Johnson led the Redbirds with a time of 15:34.7, securing 26th place. Freshman Madison Harmsen began her collegiate career with a time of 16:07.7, finishing 34th and marking the highest placement among freshmen. Freshmen Ashlyn Smith (16:26.6) and Amanda Pocica (16:50.4) also made their debuts.

On the men's side, sophomore Blake Oleson led with a time of 18:46.0, finishing in 19th place. Freshman Julian Baker recorded the fastest pace among newcomers with a time of 18:52.0. Freshmen Luke Barham (19:16.1) and Will Gelon (19:17.5) also achieved top-30 finishes in their first collegiate race.

"Really pleased with Trixie [Johnson] today; she made a nice improvement from a year ago," said Jeff Bovee, Director of Track & Field/XC at Illinois State University. "She showed a lot of leadership with the young middle-distance women that we brought here."

Commenting on the men's performance, Bovee stated, "We had a pretty good nucleus of young guys, all freshmen and sophomores... Our young guys did very well and had a small gap... The pace got hot early today... However, they managed well and we leave here accomplishing a lot of great things as we look towards the home meet in two weeks."

MEN'S 6K RESULTS – 5th Place (115 points)

19. Blake Oleson 18:46.0 // 21. Julian Baker, 18:52.0 // 23. Ethan Reynoso 18:59.9 // 29. Luke Barham, 19:16.1 // 30. Will Gelon, 19:17.5 // 31. Dylan Myers, 19:20.8 // 32. Nathan Virginelli, 19:28.8 //34.Josh Weeks,19:38..4//39.Garrett Slack ,20;15..3//40.Owen O'Shea ,20;19..7//45.Carter Smott ,20;36..1

WOMEN'S4KRESULTS

26.Trixie Johnson ,15;34..7//34.Madison Harmsen ,16;07..7//36.Ashlyn Smith ,16;26..6//37.Amanda Pocica ,16;50..4

UP NEXT

The Redbirds will host the Redbird Invite on Friday, September13 at Weibring Golf Course starting at5 p.m.