CHICAGO (April 1, 2021) – The Loyola University Chicago track & field teams will continue their outdoor season on Friday, April 2 when they head down Interstate 55 to Normal, Ill. for the Redbird Invitational.
 
Events at the Redbird Track Complex will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday morning with the women's hammer throw.  The women's 3,000m steeplechase begins a full day of action on the track at 1 p.m.  The men's 4x400m relay will wrap up the meet at 5:55 p.m.  A full schedule of events, along with heat sheets, can be accessed to the right.
 
Loyola is slated to be joined at the meet by host Illinois State, local rival UIC, Butler, Marquette, Milwaukee, and Northern Illinois.
 
The Maroon & Gold's distance crew is coming off a standout showing at last weekend's Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.  Junior Kathleen Simms led the attack, moving to third all-time in Rambler annals in the 10,000m run following a time of 34:11.69 that leads the Missouri Valley Conference and has her second in the NCAA West Region.  Senior Mimi Reimers also turned in a terrific effort in the event, running 35:05.87, the fourth fastest time in the region.
 
The junior duo of Anneka Murrin and Claire Hengesbaugh dazzled in the 5,000m run.  Murrin ran an MVC-best 16:24.30, climbing to third all-time in program history, en route to being named the MVC Female Track Athlete of the Week.  Hengesbuagh was equally as impressive, finishing two seconds back in 16:26.29 to move up to fourth on the program's outdoor record board in the event.  Murrin and Hengesbuagh both sit in the top five on the 5,000m run regional leaderboard.
 
Loyola's men's side was led by senior Demetri Panici and junior Blake Buysse.  Panici clocked a 1,500m run personal-best 3:50.71 that ranks second overall in The Valley.  Buysse shaved over 90 seconds off his previous personal best in the 10,000m run, racing through in 30:21.53.
 
Loyola heads to Charleston, Ill. next weekend for the Big Blue Classic, April 9-10.