LOUISVILLE, Ky. (April 29, 2022) – Sophomore Melissa Parrella and freshman Jack Slaughter both turned in standout showings this afternoon for the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams on the opening day of the Clark Wood Invitational in Louisville, Ky.  In total, five Ramblers posted new personal bests today at Owsley B. Frazier Cardinal Park.
 
Competing in the women's long jump, Parrella saved her best leap for last in The Bluegrass State.  Parrella, who entered the weekend as the Missouri Valley Conference leader in the event, converted on a jump of 20-01.75 (6.14m) on her final attempt of the day to finish second overall.  The Graz, Austria product's effort from this afternoon sees her move to third all-time in Loyola history in the event and unofficially moves her up to 28^th on the NCAA West Region leaderboard.
 
Slaughter continued his ascent in the 800m run, putting up the top performance of his young collegiate career.  Out of Leawood, Kan., Slaughter clocked a near two-second personal best, racing through in 1:53.97, a time that marks a three-second improvement from his top outdoor showing.
 
The Ramblers received strong efforts from a trio of freshmen in the 200m dash.  Petra Cokaric ran a personal-best 25.96, while Isaac Eubanks and Terrence Marfo each turned in the top times of their careers, recording respective times of 22.75 and 23.40.
 
Just a week removed from moving into the top 10 on the program's 400m hurdles record board, freshman Erin Connors fell just shy of a third consecutive personal best, crossing in 1:05.38.  Sophomore Madi McLain followed closely behind in 1:05.99, posting a new season best time.
 
Loyola wraps up the Clark Wood Invitational on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. (CT).