RALEIGH, N.C. (March 24, 2022) – Senior Blake Buysse and freshman Jason Clayton climbed into the top 10 in program history in their respective events, while senior Ilhame Tamrouti impressed in her 2022 debut as the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams got off to a flying start at the Raleigh Relays in Raleigh, N.C.
 
Fresh off earning All-Missouri Valley Conference honors at last month's MVC Indoor Championships, Buysse picked up right where he left off this evening at the Dail Track & Soccer Complex.  The Plymouth, Minn. native turned in an overall personal best effort of 14:17.87 in the 5,000m run, shaving nearly 18 seconds off his previous outdoor top time in the event.  Buysse's effort rocketed him up to sixth on the Loyola's outdoor 5,000m run record board and is the fastest time by a Rambler in the event since 2015.
 
Clayton continued his breakout freshman campaign in the 1,500m run, as the Melbourne, Australia product picked up a heat victory in 3:46.86, the eighth fastest time in Rambler annals.  Clayton's effort was highlighted by a 56.10 split over his final 400m.  Sophomore Miguel Abaitua also put forth a strong effort in the event, clocking a personal-best 3:51.39 to earn a runner-up finish in his heat.
 
Coming off an appearance in the javelin at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last season, Tamrouti wasted no time in announcing her presence in her first appearance of 2022.  Out of Kampen, Netherlands, Tamrouti registered a top toss of 162-01 (49.40m), a mark that fell just four feet shy of her own program record, en route to placing seventh overall in a loaded field.
 
Loyola continues action at the Raleigh Relays on Friday.  Live coverage on ACC Network Extra is scheduled to begin at 6:15 p.m. (CT).