CARBONDALE, Ill. (May 15, 2021) – Senior Riley DeMeulenaere clocked the top 3,000m steeplechase time of his career to secure a runner-up finish in the event as the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams continued action at the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships today in Carbondale, Ill.
 
"The second day of the MVC Championships is often a roller coaster and today was no different," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer commented.  "The group gave it everything they had.  We came up short in some events and thrived in others.  The hurdlers and steeplechasers led the way.  Riley ran such a gutsy race and will be on the bubble of making it to regionals.  Vince (DiVenere), Tim (Harris), Molly (Reighard), and Isabel (Velasco) all moved on.  Jana (Rokitta) and Melissa (Parrella) came up a little short, but battled well.  Tomorrow will be a busy day as we planned.  We're looking to close the regular season out in style!"
 
DeMeulenaere was terrific in the 3,000m steeplechase on a cool evening at the Lou Hartzog Track & Field Complex.  The Brookfield, Wis. native shaved a half-second off his previous personal best in the event, crossing in 9:00.37 en route to finishing second overall and claiming All-Valley honors.  Fellow senior Emmanuel Champagne posted a personal-best effort of his own, taking fifth in 9:13.24. 
 
"Riley ran an outstanding race in the steeplechase to claim a hard-fought runner-up finish and a personal best," Loyola assistant coach Mircea Bogdan said.  "After all he had gone through in prior races, to finish this way is simply awesome.  He stuck with the front pack and had all the intentions to win, which is what you want from a defending champion.  Emmanuel finished fifth with a personal best to also add valuable points.  We are so proud of both of their efforts."
 
Loyola enjoyed a productive day in preliminary action, securing five additional berths to Sunday's finals.
 
The Maroon & Gold locked up a pair of bids to the men's 400m hurdles final.  Senior Vince DiVenere will have the opportunity to defend his 2019 Valley title following a run of 53.82 that saw him take third in his heat, while sophomore Timothy Harris dazzled, racing through in 53.89, the sixth fastest time in program history, to take second in the following heat.
 
In the women's 400m hurdles, senior Molly Reighard spearheaded the attack, running a personal-best 1:01.71 that saw her punch her ticket to the event final.  Freshman Madi McLain also impressed, finishing in 1:05.74, also a personal best, as she narrowly fell short of joining her senior counterpart on Sunday.
 
"Tim ran an amazing race and came up with a personal best to make the final," Bogdan continued.  "That is purely outstanding for him.  Vince also clinched a spot in the final and he is poised to show his skills tomorrow as the defending champion.  Molly ran terrific and made the final with a personal best as well.  She is sitting on something big.  I can't wait to see her in the final.  Madi barely missed the final, but also ran a personal best.  Her future is very bright."
 
Junior Eran Siboni will see action in the 400m dash final after locking up an at-large berth following a spirited run of 48.55 in preliminary action.
 
"Eran showed why the 400m dash is his event and punched his ticket to the final," Bogdan concluded.  "He is very motivated to put on a great performance."
 
Rounding out Loyola's quintet of athletes to advance on was sophomore Isabel Velasco, who will compete for her first MVC crown after finishing in 14.36 in the women's 100m hurdles.  In the 100m dash preliminaries, senior Denee' Lawrence came up just five one-hundredths of a second short of moving on, checking in at 12.22.  Junior Adam Clayton, who secured a spot in the 200m dash final on Friday evening, came close to advancing on the men's side of 100m dash, turning in a time of 10.84 that was only two one-hundredths of a second shy of qualification.
 
In the field, junior Jana Rokitta added points to the Maroon & Gold's team tally in the high jump, clearing 5-05.00 (1.65m) to place eighth.  Freshman Melissa Parrella led the way for the Ramblers in the long jump, where she finished ninth after a top leap of 17-11.50 (5.47m).
 
The final day of the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships will begin at 11:30 a.m. with action in the women's triple jump and women's discus throw.  The women's 4x100m relay will open a packed afternoon on the track at 1 p.m.  Live coverage on The Valley on ESPN is slated for 12:50 p.m.