NORMAL, Ill. (May 1, 2021) – Junior Adam Clayton broke a six-year-old program record in the 200m dash to highlight a successful day for the Loyola University Chicago men's track & field team at the Illinois State Invitational in Normal, Ill.
 
"It's days like this that make it all worth it," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer commented.  "Through such a challenging year, dreams still can come true.  Adam was just flat out special today.  He's overcome a lot of setbacks, but stayed the course and is now on top of the Loyola record books in program history.  Adam's 20.92 makes him the fourth Rambler to dip under 21 seconds for the 200m dash, it puts him atop the MVC leaderboard, and punches his ticket to the First Round of the NCAA Championships at Texas A&M."

Clayton was spectacular this afternoon at the Redbird Track Complex.  The Glasgow, Scotland native broke former Rambler Jaz Hayes' previous program-best mark, sprinting across in 20.92 to top the 200m dash leaderboard.  That time not only unofficially leads the Missouri Valley Conference, but all but sends Clayton through to next month's NCAA West Preliminary.  The junior also climbed the program record board in the 100m dash, running 10.47 to move to third all-time in a preliminary heat. 
 
Like Clayton, freshman Jevan Terry enjoyed a big day in the short sprints.  Out of Marietta, Ga., Terry ran a red-hot 10.75 to win his 100m dash preliminary heat, moving to eighth all-time at Loyola in the process, before turning in personal-best 21.49 alongside Clayton in the 200m dash en route to placing fourth place.  Senior Michael Papper clocked a 200m dash personal best of his own, finishing 11^th as he posted a time of 21.96.
 
In the 400m dash, junior Eran Siboni paced the attack for the Maroon & Gold, claiming seventh at 49.47.  Sophomore Ayoub El-Ashmawi came through in a personal-best 49.65, while fellow sophomore Timothy Harris was close behind in 12^th at 50.03.  All three went on to join forces with senior Vince DiVenere in the 4x400m relay, where the quartet checked in third in 3:17.98.
 
Sophomore Kevin Szczepaniec led Loyola's efforts in the field, reaching a season-best 46-05.00 (14.03m) to finish fourth in the triple jump.  Senior Tobi Alabi was a close fifth, hitting on a top leap of 45-09.75 (13.96m).

"The rest of the guys showed up big too," Thurnhoffer added.  "Jevan continued his extraordinary freshman season with two new personal bests, and Michael did the same.  Ayoub had a tremendous day in the 400m dash and the guys fought hard for a stellar 4x400m relay performance.  Kevin looks really close to catching a big leap in the triple jump as well.  We're looking really sharp heading into these last few weeks and we're starting to believe that anything is possible."
 
Competing at the GVSU Meet in Allendale, Mich., sophomore Cameron Arkesteyn picked up a victory in the 1,500m run, crossing in 4:05.51.  Junior Ian Cummings, who was less than 24 hours removed from recording a 5,000m run personal best, took fourth behind Arkesteyn, finishing in 4:13.36.
 
"It was a solid meet for us, serving us with another opportunity to run fast before the MVC Championships," Loyola assistant coach Mircea Bogdan said.  "The steeplechase crew showed improvements and I strongly believe they will be ready come MVCs.  (Kenny) Wallace ran a great 1,500m run and almost matched his personal best.  He's rounding into form at the right time.  Ian turned in a personal best in the 5,000m run and is looking stronger with each week.  There are things I wish could have gone better, but we'll take the good with the bad and keep moving forward.  Our goal is to peak at the MVC meet."
 
Loyola closes out the regular season on Friday, May 7 at the Pacesetter Sports Invitational in Terre Haute, Ind.