Loyola's Penzenstadler, Valgoi Sweep Horizon League Runners of the Week Honors

INDIANAPOLIS – Loyola sophomore Sam Penzenstadler and senior Gina Valgoi have been named the Horizon League Runners of the Week for the period of Sept. 10-16 after each earned medalist honors at the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships on Friday in Normal, Ill.

Penzenstadler led the pack with a 24:24 race, his second consecutive first-place finish. Including Penzenstadler, the Ramblers finished with four runners in the top ten to earn the men’s overall team championship.

In addition to finishing in first place in her first race of the season, Valgoi set a new course record with her 17:02 finish. Led by Valgoi, Loyola placed four women among the top 16 runners to earn second place as a team.

In updated rankings released Monday, the USTFCCCA ranks the Loyola men’s team No. 11 in the Midwest Regional and the women’s team No. 9 in the regional. The women’s team jumped six spots from the No. 15 ranking last week, while the men’s team was not previously ranked in the top 15.

Both Loyola teams return to action on Saturday, Sept. 29, when the Ramblers host the 40th annual Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational at Montrose Beach in Chicago.

Top Men’s Runners of the Week:

Colin Creagh, Detroit (So.) - Paced UDM for the first time in 2012, tying a personal record and finishing 45th overall with a 26:01 at the 33rd annual National Catholic Championship

Adam Schueller, Milwaukee (Fr.) - In just his second collegiate race, finished seventh overall with a 26:46.1 at the Falcon Invitational hosted by Concordia University.

Top Women’s Runners of the Week:

Tori Holt, Cleveland State (So.) - Won the Friendship Invitational with a lifetime-best 19:18, her second straight sub-20: 5K.

Sarah Manuel (Fr.) - Won the Concordia Invite ahead of a field of 210 runners with a 22:34.8

2012 Horizon League Cross Country Runners of the Week:

Sept. 4               Billy Clink (UIC); Katrina Oberski (UDM)

Sept. 10              Jake Reilly (UWM); Sarah Manuel (GB)

Sept. 16              Sam Penzenstadler (LOY); Gina Valgoi (LOY)