Track and field teams break personal records in opening meet

Track+and+field+assistant+coach+Amani+Bryant+leads+practice+at+East+Jefferson+High+School.+In+their+first+meet+of+the+season%2C+Loyola+marked+multiple+personal+records.+Photo+credit%3A+Andres+Fuentes

Track and field assistant coach Amani Bryant leads practice at East Jefferson High School. In their first meet of the season, Loyola marked multiple personal records. Photo credit: Andres Fuentes

Andres Fuentes

Loyola’s track and field program kicked off their outdoor season at the Louisiana Classics in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The two-day event saw both the men’s and women’s teams break multiple personal records.

Environmental studies sophomore Liam Donovan broke his own record in the men’s 1500-meter run with a time of 4:32.81 to place 18th overall. Donovan also set a personal best in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:10.27.

Criminal justice junior Diamond Pearson finished top five in the 100-meter dash. She claimed fourth in her heat and 22nd overall with a time of 12.99 seconds.

On the men’s side in the same event, freshman Isaiah Ritchie finished in 22nd with a time of 11.46.

Accounting sophomore Helena Lauchli set a personal record in the 5,000-meter run with a 5th place finish and a time of 21:51.44. Freshman Mia Buchanan finished just ahead of Lauchli for 4th place and a time of 21:50.33.

Environmental studies sophomore Walter Ramsey finished 5th in the 5,000-meter run on the men’s side.

Up next, Loyola will compete in the Falcon Classic from March 22 until the 23rd.