ALLENDALE, Mich. (February 19, 2021) – The Loyola University Chicago track & field teams closed the regular season portion of their indoor schedule in fine fashion this afternoon, racking up six first-place finishes at the GVSU Tune-Up in Allendale, Mich.
 
"Today served as a good tune-up for the conference championships next weekend," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer said.  "It's been a reduced season for us, but I think we're making the best of it.  It'll be exciting to finally get back to the MVC Indoor Championships next week!"
 
Junior Adam Clayton led the way for the Rambler men on the track, posting a season-best 7.03 to win the 60m dash.  In the 400m dash, sophomore Ayoub El-Ashmawi topped the leaderboard, crossing in 50.86 to highlight a one-two finish for the Maroon & Gold in the event, with fellow sophomore Timothy Harris taking second in 51.04.  Junior Eran Siboni claimed a runner-up finish in the 200m dash, clocking in at 22.29.  
 
In the mid-distance events, senior Demetri Panici collected a runner-up finish of his own, coming through in 1:53.61.  Panici, Siboni, El-Ashmawi, and Harris went on to join forces in the 4x400m relay, cruising to victory in 3:27.55.
 
Senior Derek Rink, running unattached, shaved more than 10 seconds off his personal best in the 3,000m run, racing through in 8:23.93 as he placed second overall.
 
Senior Molly Reighard was victorious for Loyola women's side in the 400m dash, turning in a time of 58.47.  Finishing back of Reighard was freshman Madi McLain, who checked in second at 1:01.42.  For the second time in as many weeks, senior Denee' Lawrence impressed, running 7.85 in a preliminary heat of the 60m dash en route to a third-place finish (7.94). 
 
In the field, the duo of sophomore Kevin Szczepaniec and freshman Lovie Annafi swept the triple jump titles.  Szczepaniec turned in a top leap of 45-02.25 (13.77m), while Annafi continued the fast start to her time in Rogers Park, reaching 37-01.25 (11.31m).  Annafi also made her way into Loyola's long jump record board, moving to eighth all-time following an effort of 17-03.25 (5.26m) as she finished fourth in the event.
 
Loyola will now ready for the postseason, beginning next weekend when it heads to Cedar Falls, Iowa for the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships, February 26-28.