IOWA CITY, Iowa (September 3, 2021) – The pairing of redshirt freshman Guillermo Ibarra and freshman Grace Kuhn paced the attack for the Loyola University Chicago cross country teams as the Ramblers opened the 2021 season this evening at the Hawkeye Invitational in Iowa City, Iowa.
 
In the final men's team standings, Loyola landed sixth with 127 points.  The Ramblers bested Missouri Valley Conference counterparts Illinois State (153) and Bradley (163), while coming in just a point back of fellow Valley foe Northern Iowa (126).  Over on the women's final leaderboard, the Maroon & Gold totaled 201 points to land seventh, finishing in front of Jesuit rival Creighton (205) and fellow Valley foe Drake (215).
 
Ibarra was terrific in the men's 6k race today at the Ashton Cross Country Course.  Making his collegiate debut, the Cicero, Ill. native clocked a time of 18:53.6 to edge out Iowa's Ian Geisler (18:55.0) for ninth overall.  Just 12 seconds back was senior Sean O'Connell, who raced though in 19:05.8 to claim 13^th place.
 
Senior Stephen Pipilas grinded out a time of 19:23.5 to earn himself a spot in the top 30, placing 26^th, while fellow senior Ian Cummings wasn't far behind, crossing 33^rd at 19:35.8.  Junior Cameron Arkesteyn rounded out Loyola's five-member lineup in 20:04.5, finishing 51^st.
 
Kicking off the evening in the women's 4k, Kuhn didn't disappoint in her first appearance with the Ramblers.  The Wyomissing, Pa. product fended off Illinois State's Claire Fuhlhage (14:49.1) for 28^th, coming through in 14:48.1.  Senior Olivia Orr crossed eight seconds later, claiming 39^th at 14:56.9. 
 
A trio of freshmen occupied the third through fifth spots for Loyola.  Kelly Andrews turned in a run of 15:07.6 to finish 49^th, with Grace Jostock seven spots back in 56^th at 15:14.1.  Aiden Grasse posted a time of 15:20.4 to take 62^nd. 
 
Loyola is back on the course in two weeks when it heads to Normal, Ill. for the Redbird Invitational on Friday, September 17.