Loyola’s men’s cross country team took in respectable places at the Southern Mississippi Invitational in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 13. Mike Gulotta, history junior, finished eleventh with the time of 22 minutes and .93 seconds on the four-mile course. According to Gulotta, the run was another chance to improve.
“I expect to be the top runner. I know what Coach expects of me and what I expect of myself,” he said.
Gulotta and Head Coach Paul Garvey agreed that the course was a test for all the teams involved.
“The course was practically all uphill, but we ran really well,” Gulotta said. “Anytime you race well, you feel good. But it’s a long season.”
Marketing freshman Nick Bousquet ran 23:29.56 to finish 32nd. Joe Kutner, computer information systems and music senior, rounded out the field with a time of 23:39.93 for 36th place.
“The guys ran really well. We stepped up to the plate,” Garvey said.
Garvey mentioned that there were only three other schools in the meet that were not NCAA Division I.
Gulotta said that he was proud to run against such a high level of competition.
“It says a lot for our athletic department that we competed with the big boys,” he said.
The women’s team took eighth and tenth places at the Xavier Invitational held at the Lakefront Saturday.
Communications freshman Sara Miles St. Clair ran the two-mile course in 14:07, good for eighth place. Catherine Baggett, history junior, finished tenth with a time of 14:16.
According to Garvey, the women are still working hard to improve and prepare for conference meets.
“The women have some work to do,” Garvey said. “We’ve had losses and a couple injury problems, but we can put it together.”
The team does not carry a record, so it concentrates on being ready for the district and regional meets.
“Winning conference and region are both within the realm of possibility for the men and the women,” Garvey said.
Gulotta talked about the prospects of the men’s team, especially since Life University, last year’s champion, no longer has an athletic program.
“Our goal is to get to nationals and do well there,” Gulotta said. “We have some young guys. Joe and I are the only ones with real college experience. The region is totally open.”
Garvey added to Gulotta remarks with his outlook for the rest of the season.
“I’m not expecting holes to be filled until the end of the season,” he said. “We’re working hard and making improvements, and that’s what we need to continue to do.”
The ‘Pack will continue its schedule next weekend in Baton Rouge at the Louisiana State University meet on Sept. 28.
“The next meet is a big one,” Gulotta said. “There’s a lot of confidence right now, so we can focus on training.”
