PEORIA, Ill. — The IU Kokomo women's cross country team continued its fall season Friday evening at the Bradley Pink Classic, highlighted by another record-breaking performance from freshman Haley Blackburn and numerous personal records throughout the Cougar lineup.
Competing in the Women's White 6K Race at Newman Golf Course, the Cougars finished 15th out of 21 teams with 400 points despite competing without their usual No. 2 runner.
Freshman Haley Blackburn continued her outstanding debut season, leading IU Kokomo with a 42nd-place finish in a personal-best time of 23:05.5. Blackburn broke her own freshman 6K school record while moving into second on both the program's all-time performers list and fastest times list.
Alexis Sibray was the second Cougar across the line, placing 116th overall with a personal-best time of 25:07.0. Her performance moved her into 10th among IU Kokomo's all-time 6K performers, adding another name to the program's record books.
Erica Grubbs followed in 122nd with a career-best time of 25:20.4, while Keeley Carpenter placed 132nd in 25:31.6, also establishing a new personal record.
Ava Jefferis rounded out the Cougars' scoring five, finishing 139th with a personal-best time of 25:49.3. Kaytlin Moeller and Kaylee Futrell completed IU Kokomo's top seven, placing 142nd and 150th, respectively.
The strong individual performances extended throughout the lineup, as Madi Walkup, Elly Potts and Erabella Winrotte also recorded personal bests. Amber Detmer added a season-best performance, crossing the line in 26:04.9.
"Haley Blackburn continues a phenomenal freshman year by becoming the second-fastest performer, having the second-fastest time of all time and breaking her own freshman record," said IU Kokomo head coach Josh Colvin. "Alexis Sibray had an impressive run to become the No. 10 all-time performer and matched her all-time 5K personal record at the split. We had several personal records, and we sat our usual No. 2 today. We are looking forward to racing a fast course against some great competition next week in Knoxville."
Cougars Women's Results (6K)
Haley Blackburn: 23:05.5
Alexis Sibray: 25:07.0
Erica Grubbs: 25:20.4
Keeley Carpenter: 25:31.6
Ava Jefferis: 25:49.3
Kaytlin Moeller: 25:52.0
Kaylee Futrell: 26:04.8
Amber Detmer: 26:04.9
Madi Walkup: 26:35.1
Elly Potts: 28:28.4
Erabella Winrotte: 28:38.0
The Cougars will return to action next Friday, October 23, at the NAIA Appalachian Challenge in Knoxville, Tennessee, their final competition before the River States Conference Championships.
For the latest news, updates and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up to date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, X and Instagram.
