PEORIA, Ill. (October 15, 2021) – Led by strong efforts from graduate student Mimi Reimers and senior Akhil Ghosh, the Loyola University Chicago cross country teams closed out the regular season portion of their 2021 schedule this afternoon at the Bradley Pink Classic in Peoria, Ill.
 
In the final women's team standings, Loyola checked in 15^th with 422 points, finishing in front of former Missouri Valley Conference rival Wichita State (16^th; 425).  The Rambler men totaled 497 points to land 20^th, two spots ahead of event host Bradley (22^nd; 513).
 
Reimers was the first Rambler across the finish line in the 6k red race today at the Newman Golf Course.  The Shaker Heights, Ohio native clocked the top 6k time of her career, coming through in 21:21.7, the fifth fastest time by a Valley competitor on the day, as she placed 14^th overall.  Fellow graduate student Elizabeth Aho posted a personal best of her own, finishing in 22:22.1 to take 80^th in her first appearance with the Maroon & Gold.
 
Freshman Nora Wollen recorded the top time of her young career, claiming 86^th in 22:24.4, while senior Tarynn Cullings ran 22:46.6 in her first action of 2021, crossing 124^th.  Freshman Grace Kuhn rounded out the Rambler five with a personal-best 22:46.8 to land 125^th.
 
Ghosh paced the attack in the 8k red race for Loyola.  Making his first cross country appearance since the 2019 edition of the Bradley Pink Classic, the Downers Grove, Ill. product raced through in 25:12.3 to earn a 66^th-place finish.  Senior Nathan Kolbus was just under 10 seconds back of Ghosh, finishing 91^st in 25:21.4.
 
The senior pairing of Nick Chudzik and Stephen Pipilas each turned in the top 8k efforts of their respective careers today, with Chudzik running 25:25.5 to take 100^th, while Pipilas battled through in 25:32.6, finishing 121^st.  Freshman Gabe Smit raised the curtain on his collegiate career by turning in a time of 25:35.9 to place 132^nd.
 
Loyola was also represented in the day's opening event, earning a runner-up finish in the women's 6k white race with 67 points.  Senior Olivia Orr led the Ramblers, placing second overall in 22:54.8.  Freshman Kelly Andrews also secured a spot in the top 10, claiming eighth in 23:07.5.
 
Loyola will be back in action on Friday, October 29 at the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference Cross Country Championship in Normal, Ill.