New Ramblers Race to Front of the Pack at National Catholic Invitational

Loyola’s men’s and women’s cross country teams headed to the National Catholic Invitational Sept. 19, hosted by the University of Notre Dame, in Notre Dame, Ind., taking home second and fourth, respectively.

The women’s team competed in the 5K, with third-year Bárbara Neiva finishing 16th in her Loyola debut. The men competed in the 8K and were led by graduate Hayden Healy, taking sixth place in his Rambler debut. 

Coming off a first-place team finish in the North Park/CUC Early Invitational, the women’s team continued their strong start to the season with a fourth place finish in the 5K. The Ramblers only trailed the University of Notre Dame, Lewis University and DePaul University. 

Loyola was led by Neiva in 16th, who clocked a time of 17:55.6. Behind her were fellow third-years Angy Salado Fernandez and Priscilla Ravera in 24th and 31st at 18:24.5 and 18:46.7, a personal best for Ravera. 

Right behind Ravera in 32nd was graduate Kayla Schmidt, timing at 18:48.2. Third-year Jo Collins and first-year Frances Perry were next, both notching personal records in the process, as the duo finished 34th and 37th with times of 18:56.2 and 19:04.3. 

Second-year Claire Botnik was next in 41st with a time of 19:21.6. Rounding out the race for the Ramblers were first-year Mackenzie Armstrong and second-year Lindsey Kiehl, finishing back-to-back in 44th and 45th with times of 19:25.7 and 19:28.7.

The men’s team made its season debut at the invite and was led by three runners finishing in the top 10. Healy, who clocked a personal best in his debut, finished sixth with a time of 24:14.6. Two spots behind him in eighth was third-year Nate Boutin at 24:22.9 and rounding out the top 10 was third-year Woody Jerome with a time of 24:27.0.

Second-year Izak Bibile was next to cross the finish line for Loyola in 17th, clocking in at 25:03.4. Fourth-year Colby Revord was next, finishing his Rambler debut in 19th at 25:10.9. 

Ending the contests on the men’s side were third-year Aidan Collins and fourth-year Kyle Knutson, who ended in 46th and 68th with times of 26:23.8 and 27:01.7. 

Loyola cross country will be back on the run next at home Oct. 3, for the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational, hosted by the Ramblers at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course.