FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (May 25, 2022) – Freshman Jason Clayton closed out a breakout debut campaign this evening as the Loyola University Chicago track & field teams opened competition at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field West Preliminary in Fayetteville, Ark.
 
Clayton saw action in a stacked First Round heat of the 1,500m run, where he clocked in at 3:44.91.  That time saw him fall just over a second shy of the final at-large berth to Friday's Quarterfinals.
 
Tonight's showing at John McDonnell Field brings down the curtain on a terrific freshman season for Clayton.  The Melbourne, Australia burst on the scene back in February, posting the third fastest 3,000m run time (8:03.39) in Loyola track & field history in his collegiate debut en route to a runner-up finish in the event at the MVC Indoor Championships.  Also an All-Valley pick in the Distance Medley Relay, Clayton was just as impressive during the Ramblers' outdoor slate, moving to third all-time in the 1,500m run (3:42.33) before placing second in the same event earlier this month at the MVC Outdoor Championships.
 
Loyola returns to action at the NCAA West Preliminary on Thursday.  Senior Ilhame Tamrouti looks to book a return ticket to the NCAA Outdoor Championships at 2 p.m. in the javelin before sophomore Melissa Parrella makes her regional debut in the long jump at 6 p.m.  Senior Kathleen Simms will cap things off for the Ramblers at 9:10 p.m. in the semifinals of the 10,000m run.