Alex Wilson Invitational Results | Panther Tune-Up Results

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (February 17, 2018) – The Loyola University Chicago track & field teams made their final preparations for the upcoming Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships this afternoon by competing at the Alex Wilson Invitational in South Bend, Ind.
 
"We tend to get some great performances at the Alex Wilson Invitational and today was no different," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer said.  "It's a great tune-up meet for the team as we head into the conference meet.  Octavian (Wells), Elijah (Olige) and Gift (Chinda) led the way for us with some breakout performances.  We can't wait to get to Cedar Falls next weekend."
 
Sophomore Octavian Wells led Loyola's efforts on the track at the Loftus Sports Center today.  Wells, out of Fox Lake, Ill., moved to third on Loyola's all-time indoor record board in the 200m dash with a phenomenal run of 21.72 en route to finishing atop the leaderboard.  Freshman Tyler Elmore notched a personal-best of his own in the event, taking fifth in 22.10.  In the men's 60m dash final, sophomore Michael Papper used a run of 7.12 to finish fourth overall.
 
The pairing of junior Elijah Olige and freshman Vince DiVenere both set new personal bests in the 400m dash.  Olige cut nearly two seconds off of his previous top run, coming in at 48.66 to take second, while DiVenere came in close behind at 49.44 as part of a fifth-place performance.
 
In the field, senior Kiera Washpun laid claim to the long jump title, posting a top leap of 18-05.75 (5.63m).  Sophomore Mackenzie Arnold narrowly missed out on a season-best jump, finishing just back of Washpun in fourth after checking in at 17-10.75 (5.45m).  On the men's side of the long jump, sophomore Eric Burns landed in second following a jump of 23-03.25 (7.09m).  Freshman Gift Chinda continued his strong rookie campaign with the Maroon & Gold by notching a personal-best mark of 47-00.25 (14.33m) as he claimed a runner-up finish in the triple jump.
 
At the Panther Tune-Up in Milwaukee, Wis., senior Stephen Hubona earned a victory in the weight throw following a top toss of 57-06.25 (17.53m).  Senior Paulina Gal took home first place in the shot put with a heave of 43.03.25 (13.19m), while fellow senior Stephanie Shanower came in fourth (38-08.25; 11.79m).  On the track, sophomore Erin Laird took first overall (10:33.02) in the 3,000m run to lead a dominant showing that saw the Maroon & Gold capture each of the top four spots on the final leaderboard. 

Loyola will now focus on the postseason as it travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa next weekend, February 24-25, for the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships.