COLUMBIA, MO. – The Illinois State University Cross Country team wrapped up its race at the Gans Creek Classic, setting new historical marks.
The Illinois State men's squad earned a ninth-place finish with a point total of 280, beating out schools such as Florida, Georgia Tech, Iowa, and Kansas. Meanwhile, the women's team notched a 15th-place finish with a point total of 517. Over 40 schools competed at the event including multiple nationally ranked men's and women's squads in the latest USTFCCCA NCAA Division I Cross Country National Coaches' Polls.
Three Redbirds, Seniors Mathis Chavand, William Sinclair, and Zack Loomis set new top-10 times in program history, the most of any previous meet. Chavand and Sinclair beat the previous fastest mark of 23:50 with times of 23:20.9 and 23:32.1. Loomis recorded a personal best time of 23:57.3, to earn the fourth fastest mark in school history.
The Redbirds women's team followed as Astrid Van Breedam ran a mark of 21.26.5 to record the ninth-fastest time in program history. Breedam accomplished the feat in just only the second 6k race of her career
Director of Track & Field/XC Jeff Bovee on the men's race…
"We had the best performance from our men's team as we have had in many years. If we can continue to secure up the 5, 6, and 7 spots as a team. We could do some special things as the season moves forward, To have two guys break the old, existing school record and Zack (Loomis) to be not too far off it. Our first three are running with the best programs in the country right now. That was very exciting to see, really proud of the guys performance today."
Director of Track & Field/XC Jeff Bovee on the women's race…
"Astrid (Van Breedam) coming in as a freshman in her second 6k of her life to lead the team was fantastic. Showed a lot of confidence and coming out of here with a 21:30 in just her second 6k is superb. Proud of her, Maggie Reed's improved so much in the last year. She had almost a 30-second improvement from her last race. Lauren Schulze as well, all three had just a tremendous day. We need to be more consistent, we don't have a lot of depth on the women's side, so if we're not hitting it on four cylinders, it makes a big difference. We have to bounce back on the women's side next time."
MEN'S 8K RESULTS – 9th Place (280 points)
9. Mathis Chavand, 23:20.9 // 14. William Sinclair, 23:32.1 // 35. Zack Loomis, 23:57.3 // 75. Yusuf Baig, 24:26.1 // 164. Julian Baker, 25:06.5 // 177. Nick Doud, 25:10.8 // 194. Blake Oleson, 25:22.2 // 212. Dylan Myers, 25:30.6 // 316. Nathan Virginelli, 28:15.6
WOMEN'S 6K RESULTS- 15th Place (517 points)
75. Astrid Van Breedam, 21:26.5 // 85 Lauren Schulze, 21:30.3 // 93. Maggie Reed, 21:33.1 // 128. Mattison Plummer, 21:51.1 // 183. Grace Erb, 22:24.7 // 221. Kaitlin Skeate, 22:48.1 // 276. Ashlyn Smith, 23:30.3 // 285. Viviana Sanfilippo, 23:45.7 // 292. Trixie Johnson, 23:56.2
MEN'S OPEN RACE RESULTS
110. Josh Weeks, 25:53.8 // 121. Luke Barham, 25:59.6 // 145. Charlie Kistner, 26:12.1
UP NEXT
The Redbirds are set to travel to Peoria, Illinois for the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday, Oct. 18. The event begins at 2 p.m.
