Lefler Earns Top-10 Finish as Leathernecks Compete In Illinois Invitational

Men's squad earns 10th-place finish while women place 11th

Women's 5K Championship Results
Men's 8K Championship Results

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Madison Lefler shined as Western Illinois competed in the Illinois Intercollegiate on Friday (Oct. 2) at the Aspen Ridge Golf Course. The men's team finished 10th in the 20-school field in the 8K, while the women earned an 11th place spot in their 22-school field in the 5K.

"We did have some positives that we can take away on the guys side," said head coach Mike Stevenson. "We finally got Angel (Carrera) back and he was able to race. He's not in race shape yet, but it was nice having him compete. On the women's side, Madison ran a great race. I think if she had pressed a bit earlier, she could've finished better than that. We battled and the conditions were a little difficult for everybody so hopefully we can learn from that and bring it to our last meet."

Lefler finished the best of any Leatherneck, recording a seventh-place finish in 18:50.

"We talked about going out more conservatively, but she probably could've gone out more aggressively in that last mile to finish even higher," Stevenson said. "She stuck to the race plan. She was in a rhythm with great tempo and she's a real distance runner."

The next Western Illinois runner on the women's side to cross the line was Alyssa Johnson, who finished 50th in 20:19. Jacyln Finney (117th/22:02), Phyllis George (122nd/22:10) and Jaylee Clements (130th/22:25) also competed for the Leathernecks.

Grant Kaiser paced the men's team with a 30th-place finish in 26:49. Not far behind was Lucas Lingle, who came in 48th in 27:25. Christian Hoover registered a 78th-place finish in 27:58 while Carrera placed 109th in 29:09. Josh Thomas (16st/34:39) and Micah Trancoso (162nd/35:27) rounded out the Western Illinois men's squad.

The Leathernecks will compete next in the Bradley Invitational on Friday, Oct. 16, in Peoria.

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Players Mentioned

Grant Kaiser: DISTANCE; Sophomore; Glenwood

Alyssa Johnson: DISTANCE; Senior; Washington Community

Madison Lefler: DISTANCE; Junior; Canton

Jaylee Clements: DISTANCE; Sophomore; Pittsfield

Phyllis George: DISTANCE; Senior; St. Gregory/Arkansas

Josh Thomas: DISTANCE; Junior; Farmington

Lucas Lingle: DISTANCE; Freshman; Canton

Players Mentioned

Grant Kaiser
: Sophomore; Glenwood
: DISTANCE

Alyssa Johnson
: Senior; Washington Community
: DISTANCE

Madison Lefler
: Junior; Canton
: DISTANCE

Jaylee Clements
: Sophomore; Pittsfield
: DISTANCE

Phyllis George
: Senior; St. Gregory/Arkansas
: DISTANCE

Josh Thomas
: Junior; Farmington
: DISTANCE

Lucas Lingle
: Freshman; Canton
: DISTANCE