SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Illinois State Jeff Bajema and Kyle Mattes both earned personal-best performances at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational. Bajema ran a time of 24:46.9, while losing his shoe in the first mile. He shed more than a minute from his previous personal-best of 25:06.6, where he earned at the 2013 Missouri Valley Conference Championships. Mattes ran a time of 25:05.9.
 "The men battled and competed well today," Illinois State Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Jeff Bovee said. "I was really pleased with Jeff Bajema capturing his all-time best. He battled really well. I was also please with Kyle Mattes. Mattes earned his all-time best and was a strong third-finisher for us today. We have positives to pull out of this meet, and we have a lot of room to go." Â
Tyler Morse crossed the finish line with a time of 24:37.0. Jesse Hahne ran a time of 25:17.6. Dave Eckhart and Brendan Hoskins picked of times of 25:30.0 and 25:35.8, respectively.
"The women did not have their best day, but I thought our top two-finishers ran strong," Bovee said. "We just have to bounce back from this and be ready for the next opportunity."
On the women's side, Ariel Michalek was the first to cross the finish line for the Redbirds. Michalek ran a time of 17:34.4. Haley Goers was not far behind, finishing with a time of 17:39.4. Kimi Sanden and Kelly McShea picked up times of 18:18.6 and 18:21.3, respectively. Haley Verbeke ran a time of 18:25.5. Ashley England finished with a time of 18:36.3 while losing her shoe in the first 800-meter. Â
Both men's and women's are back in action on Oct. 17 in Louisville, Ky. at Pre-NCAA. Follow live action on Twitter via @Redbird_TrackXC, or go to GoRedbirds.com for full coverage following the conclusion of the meet.
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