The Eastern Illinois men's and women's cross-country teams returned to action Friday, October 2, as the Panthers competed in the ISU Nike XC Town Twilight hosted by Indiana State at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.

The Panthers joined a competitive field featuring programs from across the country, including Indiana State, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Southeast Missouri, Southern Indiana, Austin Peay, Texas Tech, and Baylor's women's team.

The women's team competed in the 6K race, while the men's team took on the 8K course. The meet provided Eastern Illinois with another opportunity to compete against a challenging field as the Panthers continue preparing for the postseason portion of their schedule.

Ashlyn Denney led the EIU women to a 32nd place finish which was among 100 total women's runners. Sophie Kruger placed 39th in the 6,000-meter race with a time of 23:13.9.   

Chloe Proffitt and Macie Russell crossed in 41st and 45th place with Proffitt posting a time of 23:18.3 and Russell in at 23.23.0. 
 

Aly Douglass and Alessandra Gregory were the final two EIU scored runners in the top five.  Doulass was 52nd with a time of 23:38.9 while Gregory finished 54th with a time of 23:41.5. 


Cale Smith led the Panther men finishing 36th in the field as the race was run at the 8,000-meter distance.  Smith crossed at 26:19.5. Jiberil Lesman next crossing in 53rd place with a time of 26:41.5. 

Kasen Blain, Miteku Branch, and Phillip Canopy rounded out the top five EIU runners in the meet.  Blain was 58th with a time of 26:51.0. Branch was 62nd with a time of 26:59.1. Canopy crossed at 27:04.2 to finish 66th.  

Eastern Illinois will return to action at the Bradley Pink Classic on Friday, October 16, as the Panthers continue their preparation for the Ohio Valley Conference Championships later this month.