Loyola cross country runs in Watson Ford Invitational

CLINTON, Miss. - The Loyola University New Orleans cross country team competed in the Watson Ford Invitational on Friday, with the women’s team placing fifth in non-NCAA Division-I competition.

Loyola edged out Xavier University for fifth place, finishing with 123 points. Sophomore Jenna Knoblach placed 12th, completing the 6K in 25:28.51, which is the second best mark in LU history. She beat her last season’s time for the event by over five minutes.

Other runners for the women included Vanessa Righeimer (26:16.59), Elizabeth Gienger (27:45.97), Mary Clara Hutchison (28:19.02), Dawn Schomisch (29:10.45), Lauren Fereday (31:41.04), and Samara Jacobovitz (35:48.18).

For the men, Kenny Tsao led the way, running the 8K in 28:57.49. Tsao beat his time in last season’s Watson Ford Inivitation by over four minutes. Rounding out the participants were Abraham Thacker (29:01.44), Galen Westerfield (31:54.67), and Chris Graugnard (34:02.59).

Loyola is back in action on October 23 in the Southeast Classic in Rome, Georgia.