Sept. 2, 2005

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Loyola University Chicago cross country kicked off the 2005 season Friday at the Hawkeye Invitational, held at the Ashton Cross Country Course in Iowa City. The men's team captured fourth place with 108 points, while the women's team scored 125 points to come in sixth place.

Leading the way for the LU men were senior Andrew McQuillan (19:00) and freshman Ryan Kuphall (19:00), who finished in 16th and 17th place, respectively. Seniors Sean Conroy (19:00) and Kyle Meyers (19:00) were close behind to finish in 19th and 20th in the meet, while sophomores Joe Mahalick (20:47) and Cliff Cook (20:47) took 42nd and 43rd places. Rounding out the pack was sophomore Dan Bird (23:02), who finished the meet with a 52nd-place showing.

On the women's side, freshman Ashley Raymond (11:22) paced the Ramblers with a 26-place finish with fellow classmate Jessie Morgenthal (11:25) right behind her in 27th place. Freshman Mary Bridget Corken (11:26) and sophomore Rachel Hansen (11:26) took 28th and 29th place, respectively, while freshman Gada Quafisheh (11:27) and junior Amanda Domich (11:27) settled for 30th and 31st place. Freshmen Genevieve Binnie (11:33) and Caitlin Smith (12:46) captured 34th and 55th place to close the scoring for the LU women.

"I am very pleased with how we ran as a team today. I gave each team specific instructions to run as a pack and not leave anyone behind. They did exactly what I said and learned how important it is to run as a pack," said Loyola head coach Marc Burns.

The Ramblers head downstate to compete in the Bradley Open in Peoria, Ill., on Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m.