CHICAGO (September 2, 2021) – After completing an abbreviated schedule this past spring, the Loyola University Chicago cross country teams will raise the curtain on the 2021 season on Friday when they head to Iowa City, Iowa for the Hawkeye Invitational.
 
Action at the University of Iowa's Ashton Cross Country Course is slated to begin at 6 p.m. with the women's 4k race.  The men's 6k will follow at 6:45 p.m.  A link to watch (subscription required) and a link for live results from both races can be accessed to the right.
 
Joining the Ramblers and host Hawkeyes as part of the 12-team field assembled for the event will be Missouri Valley Conference rivals Bradley, Drake, Illinois State, and Northern Iowa, Creighton, UIC, Iowa Central Community College, Iowa State, Northern Illinois, and Northwestern.
 
Piloted by first-year Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Gavin Kennedy, Loyola's women's side was tabbed to defend its Valley title in the recently released MVC Preseason Poll, while the Rambler men checked in fourth as part of a tightly contested pack.
 
In the women's 4k race, five Ramblers are expected to make their respective collegiate debuts, with sophomore Fran Hendrickson and freshmen Kelly Andrews, Aiden Grasse, Grace Jostock, and Grace Kuhn all scheduled to compete.  The quintet will be joined by juniors Tessa Kraft, Emma Murray, and Olivia Orr, and sophomore Autumn Dushack.
 
On the men's side, Kennedy will lean on a mix of experience and youth.  The veteran senior pairing of Ian Cummings and Stephen Pipilas will see action alongside senior Sean O'Connell, junior Cameron Arkesteyn and sophomore Guillermo Ibarra, the last two of which will be making their first cross country appearances for the Maroon & Gold.
 
Following its trip to The Hawkeye State, Loyola will be idle next weekend before returning to action on Friday, September 17 at the Redbird Invite in Normal, Ill.