COLLEGE STATION, Texas (May 26, 2021) – Loyola University Chicago junior Adam Clayton closed out his 2021 outdoor season this evening, making his regional debut at the NCAA Track & Field West Preliminary in College Station, Texas.
 
Competing in a heat of the 200m dash that featured five of the nation's top 100 times in the event, Clayton, the only Missouri Valley Conference student-athlete to qualify in the 200m dash, raced through in 21.22 to place seventh overall, coming in just one one-hundredth of a second back of Texas Christian's Kundai Maguranyanga (21.21).
 
"Adam showed up in a great state of mind and ready to compete at his first NCAA Championship," Loyola head track & field coach Bob Thurnhoffer commented.  "I was really pleased that he could come out and back up his breakthrough school record from a month ago with a very strong 21.22."
 
This evening's effort at E.B. Cushing Stadium wraps up a standout junior campaign for Clayton.  The Glasgow, Scotland native punched his postseason ticket in style back on May 1 at the Illinois State Invitational, breaking former Rambler Jaz Hayes' 200m dash school record with a scintillating run of 20.92.  Clayton went on to place third in the event at the MVC Outdoor Championships, collecting All-Valley honors.
 
"What a great season for Adam," Thurnhoffer added.  "I'm so pleased with the work and determination he showed.  In September we talked about breaking 21 seconds, setting the school record, getting on the podium at MVCs, and qualifying for the first round of the NCAA Championship.  He accomplished all of that and did it in a very challenging year.  I'm very encouraged by his growth this year and excited about the future!"
 
Loyola continues action at the NCAA West Preliminary on Thursday.  Ilhame Tamrouti will open the day at 1:30 p.m. when she sees action in the javelin.  Anneka Murrin and Kathleen Simms are set to feature on the track later in the evening, with Murrin competing in the first round of the 1,500m run at 6:30 p.m. before Simms closes out the night at 9:10 p.m. in the 10,000m run semifinals.