CHICAGO (April 24, 2020) – Under the direction of head coach Bob Thurnhoffer, the Loyola University Chicago track & field and cross country teams announced the addition of 15 student-athletes to their 2020-21 recruiting class on Friday.  Of the newcomers, six come from inside the state of Illinois.
 
"Another year and another superb class of future Ramblers," Thurnhoffer said.  "This is a super talented group academically and athletically across a wide variety of events.  We've built our team around diversity, getting great talent near home while also finding talent from overseas.  This group further solidifies that.  I couldn't be more excited to see what the future holds."
 
 
Miguel Abaitua – Bilbao, Spain
 
All-Time Best Marks
800m – 1:52.85
1,500m – 3:55.29
3,000m – 8:42.64
 
Assistant Coach Mircea Bogdan on Abaitua: "With the recent departure of Kevin White, we wanted to find a strong candidate to fill that gap, and we firmly believe we have found it.  Miguel is one of Spain's and Europe's best runners for his age.  He has a great range and can run very well in the 800m and 1,500m, but can also go as far as cross country.  Miguel loves running and is a very competitive athlete.  It has been fun recruiting him.  We clicked right away from the very first moment we talked.  With the international experience Miguel has, there is no doubt that he is the runner our team needed.  I am excited to work with him this coming fall, and Miguel is also very eager to start his college and US experience."
 
 
Lovie Annafi – Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
Triple Jump – 39-01.75 (11.93m)
Long Jump – 18-04.75 (5.60m)
60m – 7.83
 
Coach Thurnhoffer on Annafi: "Lovie is one of the top jump recruits in the entire state.  I think her potential is unlimited.  I couldn't be more excited to work with her and have her join our women's jumps group.  Before the season was cut short, she had the second best triple jump in the state, and the 23rd best jump nationally in her class.  She's a perfect fit for our program athletically, academically, and personally.  After doing a home visit with her and her parents over the summer, I knew she'd be a great fit.  It'll be exciting to see her career develop and see where our women's jumps crew is by the end of next season."
 
 
Eva Bednard – Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
1,600m – 5:25
3 Mile (XC) – 18:19
 
Associate Head Coach Alan Peterson on Bednard: "Coming from a great program, Eva knows what it takes to be successful and supportive.  I see a lot of potential in Eva and with her love and dedication for the sport and the people in it, I'm certain she will have a positive impact on our program."
 
 
Leah Carney – Spokane, Wash./Gonzaga Preparatory School
 
All-Time Best Marks
1,600m – 5:13
5k (XC) – 18:42
 
Coach Peterson on Carney: "Resilience and toughness are the first attributes that come to mind with Leah.  She had many issues to overcome, but that didn't stop her from coming back every time.  With her athleticism, work ethic and talent, I'm very excited about her future."
 
 
Ethan Dupas – Arabi, La./Brother Martin HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
400m – 50.50
800m – 1:59.91
 
Coach Bogdan on Dupas: "As a coach, you look to find a diamond in a rough, and during the process of recruiting Ethan, that was one of the things I was thinking of.  Ethan is a very versatile athlete that can cover the 400m and 800m races and could be an option to pursue the mile as well.  Throughout high school, he mixed up running with baseball.  His upside in running is very high and that's a huge plus for him and ultimately for our team.  During the recruiting process, Ethan stood out as a very humble person who cares about running and wants to grow, learn, and be the best he can be."
 
 
Autumn Dushack – Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
1,600m – 5:04
3,200m – 11:14
5k (XC) – 18:12
 
Coach Peterson on Dushack: "Autumn is an excellent addition to the team.  Her leadership skills and dedication to the sport were evident right away and will help her contribute both on and off the track.  Being part of a distinguished program in high school and having a team first mentality is something I really admire."
 
 
Mia Gianfrancesco – Batavia, Ill./Batavia HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
800m – 2:20
1,600m – 5:06
3 Mile (XC) – 17:07
 
Coach Peterson on Gianfrancesco: "I couldn't be more excited to add someone of Mia's caliber to our program.  She always competes at a high level and elevates even higher when it matters most.  Her toughness and competiveness are unparalleled and I can't wait to have the opportunity to coach her."
 
 
Fran Hendrickson – Champaign, Ill./St. Thomas More HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
800m – 2:18
1,600m – 5:10
3 Mile (XC) – 17:43
 
Coach Peterson on Hendrickson: "Fran is someone I knew would be a great fit in our program from the start and I'm extremely happy she chose to be a Rambler.  She's had many All-State performances between cross country and track, showing great versatility and competitiveness.  The future is bright having Fran as member of the team."
 
 
Guillermo Ibarra – Cicero, Ill./Morton West HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
1,600m – 4:20
3,200m – 9:11
3 Mile (XC) – 14:38
 
Coach Bogdan on Ibarra: "In terms of talent, passion and commitment to running, with Guillermo, all these come together.  One of the very best runners in the state of Illinois will wear a Loyola jersey starting in the fall of 2020 and that is very exciting.  A very decorated athlete for Morton West High School and coach Bill Bloom, Guillermo brings immediate experience to our squad.  I look forward to working with him and am exited to see what the future has in store for all of us at Loyola"
 
 
Jayla Johnson – Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
60m Hurdles – 9.16
100m Hurdles – 15.34
300m Hurdles – 48.28
High Jump – 5-00.00
 
Assistant Coach Amani Bryant on Johnson: "Jayla is joining our women's sprints and hurdles crew as a young lady with immense potential.  She works really hard and really has a can-do attitude.  Jayla has natural athleticism, and is really a student of the sport so I think the sky is the limit for her.  As we look to establish a presence in the hurdle events in our conference, I think she will be a great fit.  I'm excited to work with her."
 
 
Grace Maurer – Mansfield, Ohio/Ontario HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
1,600m – 5:16
3,200m – 11:05
5k (XC) – 18:33
 
Coach Peterson on Maurer: "Grace stood out to me right away as someone who enjoys the process of getting better, whether that's in the classroom or with running.  She's very fun-spirited, but knows when to get serious and put the work in, which will fit in perfectly with our team dynamic.  I definitely see her as a key contributor over her career and can't wait to get started."
 
 
Madi McLain – Benton, Ill./Benton HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
60m Hurdles – 9.76
100m Hurdles - 15.54
300m Hurdles – 46.58
 
Coach Bryant on McLain: "Madi's spirit for hard work and passion for the sport stood out very early.  She's upbeat, optimistic, and has great potential.  It was very clear on her visit that she was an immediate fit for our women's sprints and hurdles group.  I'm excited to work with her and look forward to seeing her accomplish great things."
 
 
Melissa Parrella – Graz, Austria
 
All-Time Best Marks
Long Jump – 19-05.25 (5.92m)
100m – 12.19
200m – 25.13
100m Hurdles – 14.27
 
Coach Thurnhoffer on Parrella: "Melissa joins our burgeoning women's jumps group and represents another high-level international talent on our team.  Before the season was cut short, she had the sixth best indoor long jump in all of Austria.  She was the Austrian Under-20 National Champion in the long jump.  After getting to know her and seeing how she's a student of the sport, I couldn't help but think we'd work great together.  I'm excited to have her carry on our strong long jump tradition here at Loyola.  I think she'll fit the culture of our program perfectly and I can't wait to get to work with her."
 
 
Daniel Phillips – Mattawan, Mich./Mattawan HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
400m – 49.29
 
Coach Bogdan on Phillips: "Loyola is an MVC powerhouse in the 400m event at this time.  To maintain our level of competitiveness, we want talented runners to come through our doors and strengthen our squad.  With the addition of Daniel, we know that we are getting a great athlete, one that has established himself as one of the best in the state of Michigan.  Daniel stands out as a hard worker who values learning and getting better with each year.  He is very excited for every opportunity he has and that's a huge attribute to have as a future college runner.  Daniel will fit right away with our squad and I am really excited to see him wear the Loyola uniform starting this fall."
 
 
Finn Sokolowski – St. Paul, Minn./Mounds View HS
 
All-Time Best Marks
3,200m – 9:32.38
5k (XC) – 15:41
 
Coach Bogdan on Sokolowski: "For our cross country team, Finn is exactly the athlete we want.  He brings a ton of experience right out of high school, having competed at all levels possible.  Finn is very passionate about running.  He's the kind of athlete who loves to run for the team and will give you all he's got in every race.  Finn is a true team player with lots of upside.  I can't wait to see what college brings for him, and that's very exciting for all of us."