Fighting Leathernecks Race for Awareness at Bradley Pink Classic

Western Illinois men's and women's cross country closed out the regular season at the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday (Oct. 17).

PEORIA, Ill. - Western Illinois men's and women's cross country ran in a large field at the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday, October 17 in Peoria, Illinois. The event, formerly known as just 'The Bradley Classic' was renamed in honor of October being Breast Cancer Awareness month. Senior captains, Mark Holt and Lydia Smith, set the pace for the Leatherneck men and women in the event.

"We made improvements as a team on both sides," said coach Russell Peterson. "I'm expecting a big gain in performance as we prepare for the conference meet."

The Purple and Gold women competed in the day's second race, the Red Division 6K. Lydia Smith led Western with a time of 23:00.1 while sophomore Jaclyn Finney and junior Kelsey Capovilla both posted personal best marks.

Western's men raced in the final event of the day, the Red Division 8K. Mark Holt led his teammates with a time of 26:09.8, which was good enough for a 'Top 100' finish in a field featuring nearly 250 competitors. Senior Tariq Ahmad and Freshmen Angel Carrera and Jose Gonzalez all recorded career-best times in the race while Grant Kaiser and Kendall Keller both scored for the Leathernecks as well.

Coach Peterson and the WIU cross country teams will look to prepare for The Summit League Cross Country Championships, set to be held on Saturday, November 1 in Fargo, North Dakota.

Women's Individual Finishes (6K):
104. Lydia Smith - 23:00.1
171. Madison Lefler - 23:42.1
196. Alyssa Johnson - 25:14.6
197. Jaclyn Finney - 25:47.9
198. Kelsey Capovilla - 25:48.2

Men's Individual Finishes (8K):
93. Mark Holt - 26:09.8
150. Angel Carrera - 27:14.7
157. Grant Kaiser - 27:35.6
174. Jose Gonzalez - 28:59.5
175. Kendall Keller - 29:28.4
176. Tariq Ahmad - 29:37.2

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Players Mentioned

Tariq Ahmad: DISTANCE; Senior

Mark Holt: DISTANCE; Senior

Kelsey Capovilla: DISTANCE; Junior; Harlem Senior

Jaclyn Finney: DISTANCE; Sophomore; Washington Community

Alyssa Johnson: DISTANCE; Junior; Washington Community

Madison Lefler: DISTANCE; Sophomore; Canton

Lydia Smith: DISTANCE; Senior; Canton

Kendall Keller: DISTANCE; Junior; Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor

Angel Carrera: DISTANCE; Redshirt Freshman; Round Lake Senior

Grant Kaiser: DISTANCE; Freshman; Glenwood

Players Mentioned

Tariq Ahmad
: Senior
: DISTANCE

Mark Holt
: Senior
: DISTANCE

Kelsey Capovilla
: Junior; Harlem Senior
: DISTANCE

Jaclyn Finney
: Sophomore; Washington Community
: DISTANCE

Alyssa Johnson
: Junior; Washington Community
: DISTANCE

Madison Lefler
: Sophomore; Canton
: DISTANCE

Lydia Smith
: Senior; Canton
: DISTANCE

Kendall Keller
: Junior; Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor
: DISTANCE

Angel Carrera
: Redshirt Freshman; Round Lake Senior
: DISTANCE

Grant Kaiser
: Freshman; Glenwood
: DISTANCE