Panthers Send Small Squads To Illinois Open

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Eastern Illinois sent a small group of runners to compete at the 2012 Illinois Open on Friday evening during windy conditions.  Many of the runners will not compete on the EIU squad at the upcoming OVC Championships.

In the men's race five Panther runners competed at the 8K distance.  Joe Calio was the top EIU finisher crossing in 9th place with a time of 26:48.  Derrick Johnson was just behind in 10th place at 27:12.

Ryan Ballard, Tyler Anderson and Brock Ramos rounded out the EIU men competing at Illinois.  Ballard was 13th at 27:22, Anderson was 17th at 27:41 and Ramos was 18th at 28:06.

On the women's side six runners competed at the 5K distance with Kelsey Hardimon leading the way for EIU with a 7th place finish at 19:12.

Victoria Quarton, Laura Magnuson and Chelsea Sondgeroth finished in order in places 13, 14 and 15.  Quarton's time was 19:28, Magnuson posted a 19:30 and Sondgeroth crossed in 19:34.  Quincy Knolhoff was 19th at 19:44 and Katelyn Duckett rounded out the Panther runners in 31st at 20:39.