INDIANAPOLIS -- Loyola seniors Declan Murray (Strongsville, Ohio) and Gina Valgio (Detroit, Mich.) have swept the Horizon League Runners of the Week honors.
It is the second-straight award for Murray and third overall this season. It is second honor of the season for Valgoi.
Running at the GVSU Big Meet, the duo captured three firsts and a second and felled three school records.
Murray took the school record in the 800m with a 1:47.59 time, shaving 0.45 second off his own previous record. That finish is the best in the Horizon League this season and earned Murray a win over the field of 34 runners. It also ranks as the third-fastest time in the nation this season.
He also took second place in the mile run, posting a 4:14.01 time against a field of 49 competitors.
Valgoi posted school records in both the mile run and that great American peculiarity, the distance medley relay. In the mile, Valgoi posted a 4:43.69 to beat out a field of 53 runners.
In the distance medley relay, Valgoi's 11:44.18 posting beat out the field of 22 competitors. She ranks 44th nationally in the mile, 70th in the 3000m and 29th in the 5000m -- pacing the Horizon League in all three.
The Ramblers return to action this weekend at the Margaret Bradley Inviational in Chicago.
2012-13 Horizon League Cross Indoor Runners of the Week:
Nov. 26: Declan Murray, Loyola; Rebecca Stearns, Loyola
Dec. 5: Charles Anthony, Detroit; Nicole Meisner, Detroit
Jan. 15: Wally Bradford, Valparaiso; Nikia Duncan, Detroit
Jan. 22: Chris Strup, Loyola; Jessica Richardson, Valparaiso
Jan. 29: Photis Karkalis, UIC; Gina Valgoi, Loyola
Feb. 5: Declan Murray, Loyola; Ciara Jarret, Youngstown State
Feb. 12: Declan Murray, Loyola; Gina Valgoi, Loyola
