CARBONDALE, Ill. (May 16, 2021) – Junior Anneka Murrin surged to the league title in the 1,500m run to close out a terrific final day for the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams at the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Carbondale, Ill.
 
The Ramblers ended the three-day meet in sixth place in both the women's (68 points) and men's (63 points) team standings.  Illinois State scored an MVC-record 232 points to win its third straight women's team title, while UNI claimed its third men's crown in as many years with 167.50 points.
 
"What a crazy finish to a crazy year," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer said.  "This was one of the most memorable days in my duration as a coach at Loyola.  What a performance by the group.  I can't say enough about it.  Adam (Clayton) said it best when he called it a gutsy performance."
 
Murrin, who entered as the favorite in the 1,500m run, didn't disappoint on a picturesque early afternoon at the Lou Hartzog Track & Field Complex.  The Yarmouth, Maine native used an unbelievable final kick to edge Illinois State's Grace Beatie (4:25.11) for the MVC title, crossing in 4:24.82.
 
"Anneka finishing strong and getting the win was a great start to day three for our group," Loyola associate head coach Alan Peterson commented.  "It's never easy to win when you have the target on your back, but she was fantastic."
 
Senior Demetri Panici secured All-Valley honors on the men's side of the 1,500m run, closing out his stay with the Maroon & Gold by posting a time of 3:52.63 to take third place.
 
"Demetri was absolutely outstanding in the 1,500m," Loyola assistant coach Mircea Bogdan stated.  "It was great to see him finish his career on the podium as part of a stacked field.  I'm so proud of him and how he represented our program over the years.  He will be missed."
 
Loyola enjoyed a big day on the women's side of the 5,000m run, adding 12 points to its team total.  Junior Kathleen Simms collected All-MVC accolades by virtue of a third-place finish in 17:14.58, while fellow junior Claire Hengesbaugh was hot on her heels in fourth at 17:15.57.  Murrin also returned to the track in the event, posting a time of 17:29.72 to place eighth.
 
"The 5k group handled the weather and a change of race plans well, putting more points on the board, including an All-Valley effort from Kathleen," Peterson added.  "To overcome everything these girls have throughout this year and accomplish what they did is a testament to them and I couldn't be prouder."
 
The Ramblers were led in the field on the afternoon by standout efforts in the triple jump.  Senior Gift Chinda, making the first appearance of his outdoor campaign, unleashed a leap of 47-08.50 (14.54m) to place third and secure an All-Valley nod, finishing just over a foot in front of senior Tobi Alabi, who used a personal-best jump of 46-08.25 (14.23m) to land fourth.  On the women's side of the event, junior Sarah Olojo reached a season-best 40-04.75 (12.31m) en route to finishing fourth, while freshman Lovie Annafi wrapped up a breakout freshman campaign with a personal-best leap of 39-02.50 (11.95m) as she checked in sixth.
 
Junior Adam Clayton highlighted the day in the sprinting events, earning All-MVC honors following a third-place finish in the 200m dash final in which he came through at 21.56.  Sophomore Isabel Velasco broke her own program record in the 100m hurdles, running 14.22 to claim sixth in her first appearance in an MVC individual final.
 
Clayton and Velasco both opened their afternoons by running on the Ramblers' 4x100m relay squads.  In the men's edition of the event, Clayton joined forces with seniors Vince DiVenere and Michael Papper, and junior Eran Siboni as the quartet recorded the seventh fastest time in program history, finishing fourth in 41.05.  Velasco teamed up with seniors Denee' Lawrence and Molly Reighard, and fellow freshman Melissa Parrella to take seventh at 47.40.
 
"The triple jump crew was awesome," Thurnhoffer continued.  "Sarah was spectacular.  I'm not even sure a mark that good has ever taken fourth at MVCs, so it speaks to the depth of that event.  Lovie showed up big too.  Gift and Tobi battled hard and did great.  The relays showed up in a big way also, while Adam got his first podium finish."
 
Siboni added points to Loyola's team tally in the 400m dash final, turning in a season-best showing of 48.37 to finish fifth.
 
"Eran scored valuable points for us in the 400m dash with his fifth-place finish," Bogdan continued.  "The aim was definitely higher, but all things considered, he put in a great effort.  I know this will fuel him for next year."
 
The Maroon & Gold was represented well in the 400m hurdles, scoring on both sides of the event.  DiVenere took fourth in the men's field in 53.71, while sophomore Timothy Harris came in a close fifth, racing through in 53.94.  Reighard put additional points the women's total, running 1:02.18 en route to placing sixth.
 
"Vince and Tim were at their very best in the 400m hurdles," Bogdan added.  "They were outstanding in the preliminaries and backed it up in the finals, which should always be the case.  It's a solid ending to a career for Vince, while Tim has a bright future ahead of him.  Molly gave it her best shot in her final.  She really went for it, finishing fifth in a highly competitive field.  Another great ending to a Loyola career, as being in the final is outstanding.  I'm very proud of her."
 
Loyola men's 4x400m relay capped the meet off in style.  The trio of DiVenere, Siboni, and Harris were joined by sophomore Ayoub El-Ashmawi, as the Ramblers battled to a third-place finish in 3:14.94.  In the women's 4x400m relay, Lawrence and Reighard capped off their careers running alongside freshmen Jayla Johnson and Madi McLain, with the tandem taking eighth in 4:04.43.
 
"Finishing third with a season-best time is awesome," Bogdan said.  "These four guys grinded it out to pull off a podium finish.  After seeing all the challenges that they have all gone through individually this year, it is outstanding to end it this way.  I could not have asked for more and know that we will be ready to win it next year."
 
Loyola will now await the results of several other conference meets being contested this weekend to see which of its athletes will qualify for the NCAA West Preliminary, May 26-29, in College Station, Texas.
 
"Overall, it was such an intense and fun way to end the regular season," Thurnhoffer concluded.  "The men's 4x400m relay closed it out great with an epic run.  We're looking forward to heading out to the NCAA West Preliminary in two weeks!"