NORMAL, Ill. (September 17, 2021) – Paced by multiple personal-best efforts, the Loyola University Chicago cross country teams earned a pair of third-place finishes this evening at the Redbird Invitational in Normal, Ill.
 
In the women's team race, the Maroon & Gold totaled 62 points to finish back of only No. 17 Illinois (43) and Northwestern (52).  The Ramblers were the top Missouri Valley Conference team on the final leaderboard, outdistancing host Illinois State (134), which placed fourth, by 72 points. 
 
Loyola was just as impressive on the men's side of things, accumulating 84 points, finishing only five points behind runner-up Southern Indiana (79).  Illinois claimed the men's team title with 34 points.  The Ramblers finished 69 points ahead of Illinois State, which was the next closest Valley foe in fifth with 153 points.
 
Senior Kathleen Simms dazzled today at the Weibring Golf Club, as all of Loyola's top-five finishers posted the top 6k times of their respective careers.  The Louisville, Ky. native checked in fourth overall at 20:51.8, shaving over 20 seconds off her previous personal best.  Also taking home a top-10 finish was senior Anneka Murrin, who came through just under 15 seconds back of Simms, placing eighth at 21:06.3.
 
The pairing of graduate student Mimi Reimers and senior Claire Hengesbaugh landed 11^th and 12^th, respectively, with Reimers crossing in 21:29.4, while Hengesbaugh came through in 21:38.1.  Senior Anya Brett rounded out the top five for Loyola, claiming 31^st at 22:14.3.
 
Senior Chantz Visse spearheaded the attack for the Rambler men as, like the on the women's side, each of Loyola's top five clocked new top times.  The Solon, Ohio surpassed his previous top effort by just under 20 seconds, grabbing a fourth-place finish of his own in 24:37.1.  Senior Blake Buysse, fresh off a breakout junior campaign this past spring, ran 24:52.0 to take 12^th place.
 
Senior Sean O'Connell continued the fast start to his 2021, posting a time of 25:07.5 to battle his way inside the top 20, claiming 18^th.  Graduate student Kenny Wallace also impressed, racing across in 25:15.0 en route to a 21^st-place finish.  Senior Nathan Kolbus capped off a terrific showing for the Ramblers' top five, placing 29^th at 25:30.0.
 
Loyola continues its season on Saturday, October 2 at the Live In Lou Cross Country Classic in Louisville, Ky.