CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (April 8, 2023) - Loyola was back to work Saturday afternoon at the Illini Challenge. Over 25 Ramblers raced in eight events. Five of them recorded personal best times, while two won their heats.
Saturday's action was highlighted by
Emma Murray and
Grace Kuhn taking first in their heats. Murray ran a time of 2:20.45 in the women's 800, while Kuhn ran a two-second PR in the 1,500 with a time of 4:39.21 for first.
Kelly Andrews and
Mia Dubac joined Murray in the 800. Andrews posted a time of 2:23.71 followed up by Dubac with a time of 2:29.31.
In the 1,500, Kuhn was joined by five other Ramblers.
Grace Jostock took sixth in her heat with a time of 4:45.88.
Sophia Manners was right on her heels with a time of 4:46.52. She beat her PR by one second.
Ali Gillooly (4:47.31),
Roisin Treacy (4:47.69), and
Grace Maurer (4:52.19) rounded out the women's performances in the 1,500. Maurer was sixth in her heat.
Cameron Arkesteyn and
Jack Slaughter ran for the men in the 800. Arkesteyn took sixth in his heat with a time of 1:54.32. Slaughter trailed just behind with a time of 1:55.92.
For the Rambler men in the 1,500, three athletes represented the maroon & gold.
Fionn Harrington and
Woody Jerome both set new personal bests. Harrington placed second in his heat with a time of 3:51.28, which was five seconds faster than his previous best. Jerome shaved six seconds off his fastest time with a seventh place finish in his heat and a time of 3:55.52.
Jayla Johnson and
Jevan Terry ran in the 200 dash for Loyola. Johnson was seventh in her heat with a time of 26.74, while Terry took fifth in his with a time of 22.85.
In the 400 hurdles,
Erin Connors and
Madi McLain raced for the Ramblers. Connors ran a time of 1:04.59 followed by McLain who finished with a time of 1:08.82.
Seven Rambler men raced in the 5k Saturday.
Gabe Ryan led the pack with a time of 15:25.08.
Nathan Kolbus,
Nick Chudzik,
Alex Ratkovich,
Chantz Visse, and
Stephen Lavey were neck and neck with times spanning from 15:42.71 to 15:42.98.
Sean O'Connell wrapped up the men's performances with a time of 16:43.26.
For the women,
Eva Bednard notched the final personal best of the night. She beat her previous 5k record by a second with a time of 19:07.40.
Ruth Heery was just behind her with a time of 19:08.09, and
Aiden Grasse closed the night with a time of 19:41.59.
The Ramblers will compete next at the Bryan Clay Invitational. They'll be in Azusa, California Thursday through Saturday.
