NOTRE DAME, Ind. (February 4, 2022) – Sophomore Jayla Johnson and freshman Cameron Woods both punched tickets to Saturday semifinals in their respective events as the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams began their stay at the Meyo Invitational in Notre Dame, Ind. today.
 
Johnson continued the sizzling start to her sophomore campaign this afternoon at the Loftus Sports Center.  Competing in the women's 60m hurdles preliminaries, the Ann Arbor, Mich. native clocked her third personal best of the season in the event, crossing in 8.90 to secure her spot in the semifinals.  Johnson's time unofficially ranks fifth on the Missouri Valley Conference's 60m hurdles chart.
 
Woods was equally as impressive in his preliminary heat of the men's 60m dash.  The Saint Ann, Mo. product raced through in 6.92, ascending into a tie for fifth on Loyola's all-time indoor record board en route to securing his safe passage to Saturday.  Junior Ayoub El-Ashmawi rounded out a memorable day for the Rambler sprinters in the 200m dash, running a personal-best 22.22 (18^th) that falls just over a tenth of a second outside the program's top 10 in the event.
 
Freshman Jack Slaughter led the charge for the Maroon & Gold in the mid-distance events, running 1:21:94 (17^th) in the 600m run, taking well over a half second off his previous personal best.  In the women's section of the distance medley relay, the quartet of senior Olivia Orr and freshmen Kelly Andrews, Erin Connors, and Nora Wollen checked in fifth with a time of 12:14.67.
 
In the field, senior Jana Rokitta cleared 5-04.50 (1.64m) to earn a share of sixth in the women's high jump.
 
Loyola concludes action at the Meyo Invitational on Saturday.  Live coverage on ACC Network Extra will begin at 1 p.m. (CT).