NORMAL, Ill. (October 29, 2021) – Led by a historic effort from senior Anneka Murrin, the Loyola University Chicago women's cross country team rolled to its third Missouri Valley Conference title in as many years this afternoon at the MVC Championship in Normal, Ill.
 
Loyola totaled 36 points, outdistancing second-place Bradley by 26 points, to become just the fourth program in Valley annals to capture three straight league crowns.  On the final men's leaderboard, the Maroon & Gold posted their top finish since 2013, besting host Illinois State for third with 95 points.  The Ramblers' combined men's and women's finish is the program's best at an MVC meet since joining The Valley prior to the start of the 2013-14 academic year.
 
Murrin left no doubt as she became the first female student-athlete in Valley history to capture three straight individual league titles.  Running on a rain-soaked course at the Weibring Golf Club, the Yarmouth, Maine product shaved over 30 seconds off her previous 6k personal best, clocking in at 20:35.3.  Murrin's win extends Loyola's streak of women's individual medalists at the league meet to a Valley-record five, a run which dates back to former Rambler Lindsey Brewis' victory in 2017.
 
Graduate student Mimi Reimers came in 22 seconds back of Murrin, crossing in a personal-best 20:57.5 to secure a runner-up finish.  Senior Kathleen Simms was fourth in 21:07.0, while senior Claire Hengesbaugh also turned in the top 6k time of her career, placing sixth in 21:20.1.  Freshman Nora Wollen rounded out the Ramblers' top five with her second 6k personal best in as many outings, running 22:15.3 to land 23^rd.
 
For her efforts, Murrin was named the MVC Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year in addition to receiving First Team All-Valley accolades and the women's Elite 17 Award, the latter of which is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average competing at the finals site at each of the MVC's team championships.  Reimers, Simms, and Hengesbaugh also took home First Team All-MVC distinction.  Loyola associate head coach Alan Peterson was tabbed the Missouri Valley Conference Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year.
 
In the men's 8k, senior Chantz Visse led the Loyola attack, placing fourth overall with a time of 24:39.7.  The Solon, Ohio native's effort marks the top finish by a Rambler male at the MVC Championship since Alex Baker's runner-up finish in 2017.  By virtue of his showing, Visse was recognized as a First Team All-MVC honoree.
 
Freshman Gabe Smit enjoyed a breakout performance, running an impressive 25:12.6 in just his second collegiate appearance en route to placing 16^th.  Senior Blake Buysse also battled his way to a spot in the top 20, crossing in 25:24.9 to take 20^th.  Senior Stephen Pipilas bested the previous top 8k time of his career by three seconds, finishing 25^th in 25:39.2, while fellow senior Nathan Kolbus also put points on the board, battling through in 25:46.7 to take 30^th.
 
Loyola will be idle next weekend before it travels to Iowa City, Iowa on Friday, November 12 for the NCAA Midwest Regional.