COLUMBIA, Mo. (March 19, 2021) – Junior Ilhame Tamrouti surpassed her own school record in the javelin throw today as the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams opened competition at the Missouri Spring Opener in Columbia, Mo.
 
"It was almost surreal to be at an outdoor track meet today," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer said.  "It felt great though.  The team had such great energy and supported one another.  It was a lot of fun."
 
Tamrouti was terrific today at Audrey J. Walton Stadium.  The Kempen, Netherlands product unleashed a top toss of 165-00 (50.30m), topping the leaderboard as she cleared her previous school record by just over seven feet.
 
"Ilhame was truly great today," Thurnhoffer commented.  "Surpassing 50 meters is a massive mark in the javelin and it almost certainly punches her ticket to the first round of the NCAA Championships in late May.  She's actually closing in on the Missouri Valley Conference record as well, which is incredible to think about."
 
Freshman Melissa Parrella led the attack for Loyola's jumps crew today.  Coming off a breakout performance at the MVC Indoor Championships in February, Parrella, a native of Graz, Austria, won the long jump, turning in leap of 18-07.75 (5.68m) that moves her to fourth on Loyola's all-time outdoor record board.  The sophomore pairing of Kevin Szczepaniec and Diego Villalobos represented the Maroon & Gold on the men's side of the event, with Szczepaniec taking third with a mark of 22-00.25 (6.71m), the eighth longest jump in program history, while Villalobos checked in fifth at 21-01.25 (6.43m).
 
"Kevin and Diego showed a lot of promise in the long jump and I'm excited to keep developing them in that event," Thurnhoffer concluded.  "Melissa was superb yet again, beating a very strong SEC and Big 12 field.  She's been so consistent in training and the future couldn't be brighter for her."
 
The Ramblers' men's distance group was dominant in the 5,000m run.  Senior Derek Rink (14:38.80) and junior Nathan Kolbus (14:41.11) came in second and third, respectively, both setting new personal bests.  Junior Chantz Visse was close behind the duo, running a personal-best 14:51.91 to place fifth.  Fellow junior Nick Chudzik rounded out a quartet of Ramblers in the top 10, crossing in 15:06.06 to finish 10^th.
 
"Every race is a huge opportunity for a runner, especially when thinking about how last year's outdoor season was canceled," Loyola assistant coach Mircea Bogdan commented.  "It's super exciting to have it back.  Derek, Nathan, and Chantz all ran amazing, each setting personal bests.  This is very promising for the distance crew and will give them great confidence for upcoming races.  I am proud of the work they put in and look forward to more.  They are all very capable of achieving great results."
 
The Maroon & Gold was equally as impressive in the women's 5,000m run.  Junior Anya Brett shaved nearly 40 seconds off her previous personal best in the event, racing through in 17:37.07 en route to a third-place finish.  Freshman Grace Maurer impressed with a personal-best effort of her own, taking sixth at 17:58.51.  Sophomore Tessa Kraft also battled her way inside the top 10, placing ninth with a personal-best 18:26.96.  Over in the 1,500m run, freshman Mia Gianfrancesco took 19^th at 4:59.47.
 
"The ladies did great today," Loyola associate head coach Alan Peterson stated.  "I thought they competed really well and took advantage of the opportunity.  Anya and Grace both setting personal bests was a highlight and testament to all the work they've been putting in."
 
Loyola concludes action at the Missouri Spring Opener on Saturday.