YPSILANTI, Mich. -- On the final day of the Horizon League Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Eastern Michigan University's Rynearson Stadium, Loyola rallied to win the women's title while Milwaukee carried a commanding lead to the men's championship.
The defending cross country and indoor track and field champion Ramblers came into the day facing an uphill battle for both teams. The women’s team (47 points) was just eight points behind front-runner Milwaukee (55), but sat in fourth place also trailing Youngstown State (54.5) and Wright State (48). The men’s team (52 points), meanwhile, was in second place but trailed the first-place Panthers (97) by 45 points.
The women's team rallied thanks to seven individual titles and the 4x400m relay win. Among individual champions for the Ramblers were recording-setting performances from seniors Gina Valgoi (1500m run, 4:24.48) and Candice Carajohn (400mH, 59.77). Valgoi also picked up a win in the 5000m (17:08.50) and Carajohn won the triple jump (12.55m) and anchored the 4x400m relay team.
After the meet, Valgoi was named the Outstanding Championship Running Performer. Carajohn was the high-point winner on the women's side.
On the men's side, Milwaukee held onto its two-day lead thanks to five individual titles, including two from junior Washington Farrington. With first-place finishes in the 100m dash (10.73) and 200m dash (21.56), Farrington was voted the Outstanding Championship Running Performer. Freshman Marquis Johnson was named the Running Newcomer of the Year for his win in the 400m (47.59) and Panthers senior Dan Simon was the high-point winner.
For their wins, Loyola's Randy Hasenbank was named the Women's Coach of the Year and Milwaukee's Pete Corfeld was the men's Coach of the Year.
Full Results | Event-by-Event Results
Women's Championship Team Scores:
Loyola -- 202
Youngstown State -- 150.5
Milwaukee -- 109
Wright State -- 62
UIC -- 51
Valparaiso -- 38.5
Detroit -- 38
Women's Running Newcomer of the Year:
Nina Grambling, Youngstown State
Women's Field Newcomer of the Year:
Ashley Wagner, Youngstown State
Women's Championship Outstanding Running Performer:
Gina Valgoi, Loyola
Women's Championships Outstanding Field Performer:
Shelby Schaal, Milwaukee
Women's Coach of the Year:
Randy Hasenbank, Loyola
Men's Championship Team Scores:
Milwaukee -- 231
Loyola -- 171
Youngstown State -- 87
Detroit -- 81
UIC -- 42
Valparaiso -- 37
Men's Running Newcomer of the Year:
Marquis Johnson, Milwaukee
Men's Field Newcomer of the Year:
Jay Jakovina
Men's Championship Outstanding Running Performer:
Washington Farrington, Milwaukee
Men's Championship Outstanding Field Performer:
James McLachlan, Loyola
Men's Coach of the Year:
Pete Corfeld, Milwaukee
