Ramblers Cross Country Fly Over the Competition

Loyola cross country teams headed to the Lewis Early Bird Invitational Sept 4., hosted by Lewis University, in Romeoville, Ill. Both teams took home first place out of eight and 10 teams, respectively. 

The women’s team competed in the 4,000 meter, with all five Ramblers crossing the finish line in quick succession — first-year Tessa Russo coming in second at 15:37.0, second-year Kenzie Willard in third at 15:38.1, second-year Frances Perry in fourth at 15:44.1, redshirt first-year Natalya Kuchenbuch in fifth at 15:46.1 and first-year Nicole Golebiowski placing sixth at 15:46.8. 

This race marks the Rambler debuts of Russo, Willard, Kuchenbuch and Golebiowski. The Ramblers were beaten only by Lewis University first-year Valerie Quast who placed first at 15:36.9. 

The men’s team opened their season racing the 6,000 meter, where third-year Keegan Baluja clocked in at 9:52.9, placing second overall. River Santiago came up just behind timing in third at 19:53.1 and second-year Dylan Ybarra placing fourth at 19:53.4. 

Fourth-years James Howell was next to cross the finish line for the Ramblers in seventh place at 20:18.1 and Aidan Collins came next in eighth place at 20:18.3, while fourth-year Trent Anderson finished in 17th place, timing in at 20:54.7. The Ramblers were outpaced by Lewis University first-year Nico Cimino who came in first at 19:46.9.

Loyola cross country will be back on the run next at home Sept. 25, for the 47th Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational, hosted by the Ramblers at the Sydney R. Marovitz Golf Course.