SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Emma Watcke etched her name in Loyola University Chicago's track and field history on Saturday at the Notre Dame Invite, setting a new program record for the fastest women's indoor mile. James Lawrence also shone on the track, securing a victory in the men's indoor mile with an impressive performance.
Watcke shattered the previous school record of 4:43.11, set by Anneka Murrin in 2021, with her time of 4:39.66 to finish second overall. Her performance was 6.34 seconds faster than her previous best and ranks in the top 40 for women's indoor mile performances in Division I track this season.
Roisin Treacy also notched a personal record (PR), finishing 13th overall with a time of 4:49.12. She now ranks No. 5 all-time at Loyola Chicago in the women's indoor mile. Grace Jostock added to the day's successes, achieving a PR with her time of 5:11.77.
On the men's side of the indoor mile, James Lawrence blazed his way to first place with a personal best of 4:03.32. His performance moves him to sixth place in Loyola history for the indoor mile and ranks among the top 100 men's indoor mile performances in Division I track this season.
Close behind was Gabe Smit, who used his personal record of 4:04.78 to take third overall. He now sits at No. 8 all-time at Loyola in the indoor mile. François Guilhot followed as the third Rambler to cross the finish line, placing 10th overall with a PR time of 4:08.10.
Nate Boutin (4:14.02) and Cael Mulholland (4:14.20), who achieved a PR, finished back-to-back in 16th and 17th, respectively. Jake Phillips also recorded a PR with his time of 4:15.06, while Izak Bibile, who placed first in his heat, clocked a 4:16.43. Woody Jerome rounded out Loyola's men's indoor mile efforts with a time of 4:16.89.
Samuel Field was Loyola's sole representative in the 800m, placing fourth with a time of 1:50.65, which now ranks ninth all-time for the Maroon and Gold.
In the women's 800m, Alessandra Rodriguez clocked a time of 2:13.21 to take eighth, followed by Jo Collins with a time of 2:25.99.
In men's 3k action, Fionn Harrington led the way with a time of 8:42.62, placing 11th overall. Trent Anderson (8:45.42) and Kyle Knutson (9:01.44) finished close behind Harrington.
On the women's side of the 3k, Eileen Seebon's PR time of 9:48.31 earned her sixth place overall. Aiden Grasse also set a PR with a time of 10:01.41. Alex Morris (10:26.34) cracked the top 20, while Priscilla Ravera (10:33.39) followed closely behind.
Loyola Chicago is back in action at the Meyo Invite from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, which will also take place in South Bend.
