Vic Godfrey Open Final Results
KENOSHA, Wis. (September 8, 2018) – Junior
Derek Rink and freshman
Claire Hengesbaugh both recorded top-10 finishes as the Loyola University Chicago cross country teams opened the 2018 season today at the Vic Godfrey Open in Kenosha, Wis.
The Rambler men accumulated 102 points to finish fourth overall, while Loyola's women's side checked in at fifth with 115 points. IUPUI (28) took home the men's title, while Kansas State (61) laid claim to the women's team crown.
Rink paced the attack for the Maroon & Gold in the men's 8k race to open the day. The Appleton, Wis. product came across in 26:06.2 to finish ninth overall. Sophomore
Kenny Wallace also battled his way inside the top 20, coming in 19
th at 26.24.3. Also contributing to Loyola's team score were freshmen
Chantz Visse (25
th, 26:31.4) and
Blake Buysse (29
th, 26:37.4), and sophomore
Miles Kanipe (35
th, 26:47.3).
"Our first meet turned out to be really competitive," Loyola assistant coach
Mircea Bogdan commented. "Finishing fourth is very positive. The guys ran well and gave it a great effort. I am pleased about where we are at this point in the season. We'll continue to look to elevate our game with each meet."
Hengesbaugh, racing in her first competitive cross country race in over a year, turned heads in the women's 5k race. Out of Aurora, Ill., Hengesbaugh earned a ninth-place finish of her own following a run of 18:55.2. Fellow freshman
Anneka Murrin was close behind, coming across in 19:18.5 to claim 19
th. Rounding out the scoring for the Rambler women were sophomore
Abigail Jones (21
st, 19:23.9), freshman
Anya Brett (34
th, 19:41.6) and senior
Erin Falsey (37
th, 19:46.3).
"Our goal going into today was to pack it up as much as we could and the girls did a nice job of executing that plan," Loyola assistant coach
Alan Peterson said. "We definitely have things to work on but this was a step in the right direction. We're excited about racing the full squad next week and to keep improving throughout the season."
Loyola is back in action on Friday in Normal, Ill. when it competes at the Illinois State Invitational.
