CHICAGO (May 26, 2023) – Six Loyola University Chicago student-athletes have been named to the prestigious Loyola University Chicago Maroon & Gold Society for the 2023-24 academic year.
Comprised of 22 rising seniors who have demonstrated a commitment to leadership, academic excellence, and service to others, the Maroon & Gold Society represents a University-wide cross-section of undergraduate communities and leadership paths at the institution.
Members of the Maroon & Gold Society exemplify holistic development – the fusion of the academic, personal, spiritual, and character dimensions of student development. Society members are living examples of an integrated Jesuit education for leadership and as such, these seniors act as a liaison between the student body and the President of the University.
This year's Maroon & Gold Society includes
Alaina Abel (women's soccer),
Grace Maurer (women's track & field/cross country),
Sarah Noonan (women's soccer),
Justin Ross (men's volleyball),
Jack Slaughter (men's track & field) and
Sitori Tanin (women's basketball).
Abel, a native of Green Bay, Wisconsin, was a stalwart along the Loyola backline, playing in all 1,710 minutes of game action in 2022. Receiving the third all-league nod of her time in Rogers Park this past season, the 5-foot-8 defender contributed to six shutouts during the year, four of which came during Atlantic 10 Conference play.
Mauer had a busy season for the Ramblers, competing in cross country before taking part in both the indoor and outdoor track & field seasons. The Mansfield, Ohio native saved her best running for the conference championships, setting a new PR in the 10,000m at the outdoor championships with a time of 38:32.78 while recording a new PR in the women's mile at the Atlantic 10 Indoor Track & Field Championships with a time of 5:21.85.
Noonan, who hails from Northville, Michigan, was tied for second on the team with eight points this past season while her four assists were tied for the most on the squad. The forward scored both of her goals in Loyola's 2-1 victory over crosstown rival DePaul this past season, scoring in the 23
rd minute before netting the game winner with less than five minutes left in the contest.
Ross provided depth to a men's volleyball squad that captured its first share of a regular season conference title since 2018, appearing in four matches off the bench. A native of nearby Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Ross saw his most extensive action in Loyola's win over Maryville, registering a career-high four kills while adding three total blocks in the 3-1 victory over the Saints.
Slaughter set a trio of personal bests this year for the Ramblers throughout the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. A product of Leawood, Kansas, Slaughter set an indoor PR in the men's 400m at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic with a time of 51.24 to finish ninth overall. During the outdoor season, Slaughter set new personal bests in the men's 800m at the Bryan Clay Invitational (1:53.87) and in the 1500m at the Gary Wienke Memorial (4:02.59).
Tanin was a focal point of the Ramblers all season long, finishing second on the team in scoring (9.9 ppg) while leading the team in rebounds per game (6.3), total steals (38) and total blocks (22). A Middleton, Wisconsin product, Tanin recorded four double-doubles throughout the year and set a new career high with 22 points in the Ramblers' opening round game of the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
