Wolf Pack begins Cross Country at Battle for New Orleans Friday

NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola men's and women's cross country teams kicked off the season at the Battle for New Orleans meet at Lake Oaks Park on Friday. After rainy weather on Friday, the Wolf Pack, along with teams from across Louisiana, competed in wet conditions on Friday evening.

In the 4-kilometer run, the Wolf Pack women competed well against NCAA Division I teams, starting with Jasmine Martinez. Competing against 74 other athletes, the graduate student finished first among all NAIA athletes while also racing past competitors from Division I programs, ending the race in 37th with a time of 16:55.34. Emma Meneses was next up for Loyola, ending the race in 53rd place with a 18:27.35 time.

Then, Madison Leishman completed the race, taking 55th place for a time of 18:41.68. Freshman Caitlyn Summers was next in line for Loyola, earning 57th place and an 18:57.50 time. Kinslie Badon, Sophia Freeze, and Sarah Haas rounded out Friday's race, ending in 59th, 62nd, and 65th places with times of 19:30.91, 20:00.80, and 20:51.82, respectively.

In the men's 5-kilometer run of 85 participants, freshman Drake Breland was the first member of the Pack to finish, beating out all NAIA athletes, along with several Tulane, Nicholls State, and University of Louisiana runners. Breland completed the race with a 16:15.36 time, taking 30th place. Jace Luckoski and Connor Meigs were not far behind Breland, taking 33rd and 34th places and times of 16:23.08 and 16:23.30, respectively. Jacob Kennedy and Evon Gocan were the next two Loyola runners to finish, earning 40th and 44th places, ending the race with times of 16:48.98 and 17:09.74. 

Freshmen Cameron Loubat, Daniel Miller, and Jacob Mullis reached the finish line not long after, ending in 54th, 58th, and 61st places and logging times of 17:49.76, 18:04.58, and 18:19.04, respectively. Alex Medina and Chase Rogers were the next members of the Pack to finish, getting 64th and 67th places and times of 18:26.53 and 18:46.74. Newcomers Bryce Darensbourg and Carter Scheuermann completed the race next, taking 74th and 76th places, receiving times of 19:22.84 and 19:41.39. Joseph Medina and Mason Mack ended the day for Loyola, taking 78th and 79th places and recording times of 19:43.19 and 19:56.11.

On Friday, Sept. 13, the Wolf Pack will continue the season, competing in the Rice University Meet in Houston, Texas. At Rice, the Loyola women will take on the 4-kilometer run while the men will contend in the 4-mile race.

Women's 4K Results

37. Jasmine Martinez, 16:55.34
53. Emma Meneses, 18:27.35
55. Madison Leishman, 18:41.68
57. Caitlyn Summers, 18:57.50
59. Kinslie Badon, 19:30.91
62. Sophia Freeze, 20:00.80
65. Sarah Haas, 20:51.82

Men's 5K Results

30. Drake Breland, 16:15.36
33. Jace Luckoski, 16:23.08
34. Connor Meigs, 16:23.30
40. Jacob Kennedy, 16:48.98
44. Evon Gocan, 17:09.74
54. Cameron Loubat, 17:49.76
58. Daniel Miller, 18:04.58
61. Jacob Mullis, 18:19.04
64. Alex Medina, 18:26.53
67. Chase Rogers, 18:46.74
74. Bryce Darensbourg, 19:22.84
76. Carter Scheuermann, 19:41.39
78. Joseph Medina, 19:43.19
79. Mason Mack, 19:56.11