RICHMOND, Kent. (April 17, 2021) – Juniors Anneka Murrin and Claire Hengesbaugh both turned in standout efforts to highlight a wildly successful day for the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams at the Rick Erdmann Twilight in Richmond, Kent.
 
"The ladies had an outstanding showing today," Loyola associate head coach Alan Peterson said.  "Mimi (Reimers) started the day with a personal best and Anneka followed it up with what should be an NCAA First Round mark.  Keeping that early momentum going, the 5,000m run group had seven personal bests, which was super exciting to see.  They took advantage of the opportunity and I'm very happy for them!"
 
Murrin all but punched her ticket to next month's NCAA West Preliminary in the 1,500m run this evening.  The Yarmouth, Maine native earned a runner-up finish, crossing in a time of 4:19.85 that not only ranks second all-time at Loyola, but is just a second shy of Rambler legend Gina Valgoi's school record.  Senior Mimi Reimers clocked a personal best of her own in the event, climbing to ninth all-time in program history following a run of 4:30.07 that saw her place 14^th overall.
 
Hengesbaugh spearheaded a terrific showing for the Maroon & Gold in the 5,000m run in which seven Ramblers recorded new personal bests.  The St. Charles, Ill. product came through fourth with a time of 16:24.25 that moves her up to third on the program's outdoor record board in the event.  Just over two seconds back with fellow junior Kathleen Simms, who climbed up to fifth in Rambler annals after a time of 16:26.96 that saw her finish fifth.
 
On the men's side of the 5,000m run, senior Derek Rink turned in a massive personal best, taking 15^th as he raced through in a time of 14:25.21 that falls less than a second outside of the program's top 10.
 
Competing at the Gibson Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind., junior Sarah Olojo collected her first victory of the outdoor campaign, unleashing a leap of 39-06.50 (12.05m) to top the triple jump leaderboard.  Freshman Lovie Annafi also earned a top-five finish in the event, checking in fourth at 37-05.25 (11.41m).
 
Senior Vince DiVenere and sophomore Timothy Harris led the Maroon & Gold in the 400m hurdles.  DiVenere secured a runner-up finish in 54.09, while Harris landed fourth with a time of 55.11 that ties for ninth all-time at Loyola.
 
In the short sprints, junior Adam Clayton and freshman Jevan Terry both capped off successful weekends, seeing action in the 100m dash preliminaries.  Clayton won his heat, recording a time of 10.86.  For the second time in as many weeks, Terry cracked the 11-second mark, coming through in 10.99.
 
"It was a solid second day at the Gibson Invitational," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer commented.  "The morning 100m dash prelims were a bit cold and set, but Adam and Jevan ran well to earn a spot in the final.  We decided not to race the final and save it for the weeks ahead.  It was a really nice weekend for both of them.  Sarah moved to full approach for the first time this season and bested a really strong field.  It's very exciting to see her clicking again.  Lovie is close to catching one.  She just has a few technical things to clean up and she'll be good.  Tim ran a really strong race coming off last week's breakthrough.  He's really feeling confident in that event.  Vince is primed to bust some big times.  He just needs to get his steps to the hurdles down.  It was a productive weekend for the group.  We're looking forward to Louisville next week!"
 
Loyola will split squads again next week, April 22-24, sending athletes to both the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa and the Clark Wood Open in Louisville, Kent.