Wisconsin Alumni Classic Results

MADISON, Wis. (May 4, 2018) – Junior Kevin White posted the second fastest 800m run time in program history to race up the NCAA West Regional rankings as the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams closed out the regular season this evening at the Wisconsin Alumni Classic in Madison, Wis.
 
"Wisconsin served as a great tune-up as we head into the Missouri Valley Conference Championships next week," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer said.  "We're ready to compete at a very high level."
 
For the second time in as many years, White turned in a standout performance at the McClimon Track & Field Complex.  The Wooster, Ohio native cruised to victory as he came across in 1:47.87.  White's time, which now has him trailing only Rambler great Declan Murray (1:46.77) atop the program's all-time 800m run record board, currently leads the Missouri Valley Conference and ranks 11^th regionally.  Sophomore Demetri Panici (1:51.46) and redshirt senior Nicholas Prajka (1:51.97) also recorded personal-best showings, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.
 
"Kevin once again showed us all what his true talent is today," Loyola assistant coach Mircea Bogdan commented.  "This was a special performance by a special runner.  We hope this is just the beginning of another great chapter in his career as a Rambler!  I was also very impressed with both Demetri and Nick.  Demetri could be the next star of this mid-distance group and Nick couldn't have scripted a better finish to his final regular-season race."
 
Redshirt senior Alex Baker laid claim to the school record in the 3,000m run to highlight a dominant showing for the Maroon & Gold in the event.  Baker, out of Crystal Lake, Ill., checked in at 8:20.44. besting Andy Fenske's former top mark by over five seconds, to take first overall, while sophomores Riley DeMeulenaere (8:42.82) and Derek Rink (8:44.58) rounded out the top three.  Sophomore Max O'Meara (9:41.97) and senior Kyle Whitney (9:54.49) spearheaded a one-two finish for the Ramblers in the 3,000m steeplechase.
 
"Alex is definitely back in form and couldn't have arrived at a better time," Bogdan continued.  "I'm so happy to see him at his very best."
 
The trio of redshirt junior Lindsey Brewis, senior Cassie Bloch and freshman Mimi Reimers led the attack for the Rambler women in the 1,500m run.  Brewis turned in a personal-best effort of 4:29.44, the eighth fastest time in school history, en route to victory.  Bloch came in fourth at 4:32.29, with Reimers close behind in fifth in 4:38.41.
 
In the sprinting events, freshman Vince DiVenere continued his breakout debut campaign with a personal-best of 53.98 to move to fifth all-time at Loyola in the 400m hurdles as he coasted victory.  Senior Sam Urben notched a season-best 48.71 in the 400m dash, while junior Regan Todhunter matched his personal best in the 110m hurdles, where he clocked in at 14.76 in a preliminary heat.  Sophomore Michael Edwards added a season-best of his own in the 200m dash, coming though in 21.83. 
 
In the field, senior Kiera Washpun narrowly missed out on a season-best mark as she posted a top leap of 19-02.50 (5.85m), taking fourth overall.  Junior Laurel Mertz (146-09; 44.72m) and senior Stephanie Shanower (144-00; 43.89) both turned in their top showings of the season in the discus throw. 
 
Loyola opens up the postseason next week, May 11-13, when it heads to Terre Haute, Ind. for the 2018 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships.