May 16, 2013
Meet Information | Schedule of Events |
CHICAGO - Following a fantastic outdoor season, twelve track & field athletes from Loyola University Chicago have qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field West Regional, which is scheduled to be hosted by the University of Texas at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas. The action will get underway on Thursday, May 23 and conclude on Saturday, May 25. Loyola head track & field coach Randy Hasenbank had plenty to say about the progress the program has made.
"We are both very proud and excited for our student-athletes and our program," said Hasenbank. "Loyola will be well represented with 12 qualifiers (14 including alternates) after only having five qualifiers a year ago. Our original goal was take around 20 to Austin this season. We came up short in the women's 4x400m relay. Megan (Janezic) and Alison (Szykowny) missing the cut in the 10,000m and discus was disappointing for us. Even though we have 12 athletes qualified in 14 events, we could have taken a couple more spots in the meet. Candice (Carajohn) qualified in the 400m hurdles but we scratched her from the event since the competition schedule would have made it difficult to do all three events. Gina (Valgoi) also qualified in an incredible three events but she will just focus on the 10,000m. The representation we will have down in Austin speaks volumes to the progress that the coaches have made with our athletes during the past year."
Seven men and five women will represent Loyola, led by seniors Declan Murray, Gina Valgoi, Candice Carajohn and junior James McLachlan. Murray, who finished third in the 800m at the NCAA Indoor Championships, will see action in the same event this weekend and will also look to lead the men's 4x400m relay team alongside fellow senior Mike Wetzel, junior Bay Abbott and sophomore Kevin Glastetter, who will also run in the 400m dash. Valgoi will be making her second straight appearance in the 10,000m run after a banner outdoor season for the Detroit, Mich. native. McLachlan and Carajohn both have hopes of making noise in the field when they each see action in the long and triple jumps.
"Of course, Declan, Gina and James are no strangers to the national spotlight," continued Hasenbank. "It is exciting to take three All-Americans to this meet. Their previous experience will be key as they are looking forward to representing Loyola at a high level."
Sophomore Sam Penzenstadler will be seeking to add another chapter to what has been a breakout season for the Oshkosh, Wis. native. He'll join Murray in the men's 800m run and also represent the Ramblers in the 1,500m run. Junior Alyvia Clark, who went into the final weekend on the qualifying bubble, will look to impress in the women's 1,500m run.
Three members of Loyola's stout freshman class will also be in action at the regional meet. Freshman Chris Strup qualified for the 100m dash by virtue of posting a time of 10.53 seconds in the event at the Beach Invite in April. The dynamic freshman duo of Amber Davis and Rebecca Stearns are set to compete in the 800m run. Davis ascended to the top of the all-time Loyola record board in the event with a time of 2:07.50 at the Drake Relays. Stearns, also running at Drake, posted the third-fastest time in school history (2:08.68).
The NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship will be hosted by the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, June 5-8.
