West Central Reporter

Western Illinois University's cross country teams concluded their 2025 season at the Ohio Valley Conference Championships on Friday morning, with several athletes achieving personal records.

In the women's 6k race, Lydia Bennett led Western Illinois by finishing eighth with a time of 21:38.01, setting a personal record that now ranks third in program history. Minori Hudson also set a personal best, finishing 31st at 22:41.09. Emma Kate Watt ran her fastest time of the season at 22:45.14 for 34th place, while Aurora Dominguez (22:52.06) and Finley Hancock (22:59.71) also achieved personal records, placing 37th and 42nd respectively.

Other contributors included Aylana Cezar (23:09.07, 47th), Lily Patterson (23:37.99, 60th), Ellie Eastman (23:42.26, 63rd), Ava Gorrie (23:57.84, 67th), and Cassandra Brushaber who finished with a personal best of 24:26.02 in 75th place. The women's team finished sixth overall in the standings.

On the men's side, Logan Beckmier recorded a personal-best time of 25:23.65 to finish in 26th place during the men's 8k event. Robert Perry followed in 41st at 25:48.53 and Brody Harker set his own record with a time of 25:57.35 for a 44th-place finish. Eason Comer posted his best time at 26:35.56 for 60th place; Evan Eberhart finished in 72nd at 27:13.52; Richard Brown completed the lineup at 28:28.64 for an 81st-place finish.

The Leatherneck men ended up eighth overall as both teams wrapped up their seasons showing improvement through multiple individual achievements.

The next competition is scheduled for November 14 when Western Illinois athletes will compete at the NCAA Regional Meet hosted by Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

For more information about Western Illinois University Leathernecks cross country teams and updates on upcoming events, visit GoLeathernecks.com or follow their official social media accounts.