Leathernecks Wrap Up Regular Season at Bradley Classic

Men's team finishes in 26th while women come in 29th

Men's 8k Race Results
Women's 6k Race Results

PEORIA, Ill. – Western Illinois cross country went through their final tuneup before The Summit League Championships at the Bradley Classic on Friday (Oct. 16) at the Newman Golf Course in Peoria, Illinois. The men's team came in 26th in the 8k while women's team finished in 29th in the 6k.

"Almost all the way across the board we had some personal bests so that's a plus," said head coach Mike Stevenson. "This was also the most competitive meet we'll be in, by far, all year outside of the NCAA Regional meet. While the kids ran very well, we didn't fare well as a team because we don't have the depth and the numbers that those other schools have."

On the women's side, Madison Lefler was the first Leatherneck to cross the finish line, taking 126th place in 22:23.8. Alyssa Johnson placed 185th in 24:27.1 while Shelby DePriest came in 194th in 25:38.3. Jaclyn Finney (195th/26:02.0) and Jaylee Clements (196th/26:13.2) also competed for Western Illinois.

The Leathernecks' men's squad was heavily grouped at the finish line. Grant Kaiser was the first to cross in 26:53.7, taking 146th place. Josh Thomas came in 159th in 27:35.4 with Christian Hoover registering 168th in 29:08.1. Right on Hoover's heels was Riley Giesing (170th/29:26.7) and Micah Trancoso (171st/32:45.8).

Western Illinois will run next in The Summit League Championships on Saturday, October 31 in Brookings, S.D.

?"Just the fact that they walk in there and set some personal bests is impressive because the more crowded it is, the harder it is to race," Stevenson said. "You get stuck in behind people and you can't move around. So until the race thins out halfway through, it's pretty difficult. The fact that they continue to run better shows they're headed in the right direction. Once you get to the conference meet, you go from 200 people to 40 people, so it'll be a lot easier."

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Players Mentioned

Grant Kaiser: DISTANCE; Sophomore; Glenwood

Shelby DePriest: DISTANCE; Junior; Lyons Township

Jaclyn Finney: DISTANCE; Junior; Washington Community

Alyssa Johnson: DISTANCE; Senior; Washington Community

Madison Lefler: DISTANCE; Junior; Canton

Jaylee Clements: DISTANCE; Sophomore; Pittsfield

Josh Thomas: DISTANCE; Junior; Farmington

Players Mentioned

Grant Kaiser
: Sophomore; Glenwood
: DISTANCE

Shelby DePriest
: Junior; Lyons Township
: DISTANCE

Jaclyn Finney
: Junior; Washington Community
: DISTANCE

Alyssa Johnson
: Senior; Washington Community
: DISTANCE

Madison Lefler
: Junior; Canton
: DISTANCE

Jaylee Clements
: Sophomore; Pittsfield
: DISTANCE

Josh Thomas
: Junior; Farmington
: DISTANCE