SAVOY, Ill. – The Illinois State cross-country program concluded its first race of the 2026 season at the Fighting Illini Invitational at the Orange and Blue Golf Course on Friday evening.
The men's team placed fourth, while no team score was recorded for the women's team. Competition featured student-athletes from Illinois, Illinois-Chicago, Indiana State, and Saint Louis.
Junior transfer Johanna Ebert recorded a personal-best mark of 13:33.2 to lead the Redbird women with a fourth-place finish. Senior Grace Erb collected a personal-best time of 14:03.6 for 14th place, marking the second-straight year the Redbird women have had at least two top-15 finishers at the Fighting Illini Invitational. Sophomore Cameron Crump placed 28th, registering a personal-best time of 14:32.5 in the 4k. Freshman Madison King made her collegiate debut for Illinois State, finishing 35th with a time of 14:53.3.
The freshmen duo of Max Weber and Alex Rodriguez led the Redbird men in their collegiate debuts, helping the team finish fourth on the evening. Weber recorded a time of 18:07.7 for 10th place, while Rodriguez crossed the line immediately after at 18:13.3 for 11th overall. Sophomore Quinn Davis recorded a time of 18:29.4 for 15th place, finishing as the third Redbird inside the top 15 for the event. Senior Ethan Reynoso collected a mark of 18:48.4 to place 21st among all athletes. Junior Luke Barham finished 36th with a time of 19:33.5.
"Very strong Redbird debuts for Johanna, Max, and Alex, with each of them racing strong head-to-head against some of the top Valley individuals and a full roster for the Illini," said Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Jeff Bovee. "Overall, pleased with the effort by both teams."
MEN'S 6K RESULTS – 4th Place (87 points)
10. Max Weber, 18:07.7 // 11. Alex Rodriguez, 18:13.3 // 15. Quinn Davis, 18:29.4 // 21. Ethan Reynoso, 18:48.4 // 36. Luke Barham, 19:33.5
WOMEN'S 4K RESULTS
4. Johanna Ebert, 13:33.2 // 14. Grace Erb, 14:03.6 // 28. Cameron Crump, 14:32.5 // 35. Madison King, 14:53.3
UP NEXT
Illinois State returns home to host the Redbird Invite on Friday, September 18, at the Weibring Golf Club, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
For the latest updates on Illinois State Cross Country, stay tuned at GoRedbirds.com, follow the Redbirds on X (@RedbirdTFXC) and Instagram (isuredbirdtfxc) and like the team on Facebook (Illinois State Track & Field/Cross Country).
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