Illini Classic Results

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - After a six-week break from competition, the Loyola University Chicago track and field teams resumed action on Saturday at the Illini Classic. Hosted by the University of Illinois, the meet featured teams from around the region, including Missouri Valley Conference rival Bradley, as well as Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, St. Louis, Butler and Western Michigan. The Rambler men took fourth place with 54 points, while the women totaled 32 points to place seventh. Loyola notched 15 top-five finishes throughout the day, including one event title, while a handful of Ramblers set new personal bests.

"This was a bit of a 'rust-buster' and getting the team back into the swing of things," said head coach Randy Hasenbank. "Overall, we have a long way to go, and it will take a couple of meets to get there. We look forward to Indiana next week."

Hannah Magnuson highlighted the day with a first-place finish in the 3,000m, as the senior clocked a personal-best time of 10:04.14, nearly five seconds ahead of the next competitor. She was joined on the track by Lindsey Brewis, who finished fourth with a time of 10:!3.50. Cassie Bloch placed fifth in the 600m after crossing the finish line with a time of 1:40.43, while Paulina Gal and Stephanie Shower highlighted the field events, with Gal placing fifth in the shot put and Shanower taking fourth in the weight throw.

On the men's side, Loyola placed two in the top-five in the 600m, as Nicholas Prajka (1:22.23) finished runner-up while Brady McCue (1:23.59) took fourth. Leading the way for the sprinters was Jaz Hayes, who placed second in the 400m with a time of 50.36, while Chris Strup took third in the 200m after crossing the finish line in 22.67. Chandler Diffee finished fourth in the 800m, as the junior clocked a personal-best time of 1:57.59, while Stephen Hubona and Kevin Cooney placed third and fourth, respectively, in the weight throw.

In addition, Loyola got some key performances from freshmen in just the second meet of their young careers. Elijah Olige (51.33) competed in the 400m for the first time and placed sixth, while Leron Norton (23.17) finished seventh in his first-ever 200m race. Another freshman to notch a top-ten finish was Kevin White, who placed ninth in the 800m in his Rambler debut.

"I was pleased with our freshmen," continued Hasenbank. "They all put up nice marks and were competitive. Leron, Elijah and White were all solid on the track today, and Kevin Cooney was impressive in the weight throw."

Loyola is back in action next weekend at the Gladstein Invitational, hosted by Indiana University, on Jan. 22-23.