LANDOVER, Md. – Loyola University Maryland opened its 2020 calendar year with its first competition of January on Saturday afternoon competing at the University of Maryland's Terrapin Invitational at the Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex.
 
Jordyn Pugh had the fourth-fastest 400-meter time in school history at the event, finishing fifth in a time of 1:40.69, while Courtney Kenny had the Greyhounds' top finish of the day, taking second in the 400 meters.
 
As a team, the Greyhounds finished sixth out of 11 with 53 points, just three out of fifth behind George Washington University.
 
"Today was a very great start to re-open the year," said Head Coach Amy Horst. "It was exciting to have athletes in the finals of the 60s (both the hurdles and dash), and Kayleigh's (Caggiano) mile was very strong and smooth. We saw most everyone have their best opening race after the holiday break and an extra week of training."
 
Kenny ran 59.72 to finish second in the quarter-mile, while teammate Stephanie Tracy was fifth in 61.41, and Olivia Malley a spot behind in 61.73.
 
Heather Merrifield took fourth in the 60 meters and sixth in the 200 meters for Loyola. She led a Greyhounds contingent that had three in the top-eight in the shorter distance, running 8.11 in the preliminaries and 8.16 in the finals. Ariana Santo Pietro had a prelims time of 8.17 and was one-hundredth of a tick back in the finals to finish fifth. Rachel Koller was eighth in the event in 8.40, and she took eighth, as well, in the 200 (27.55).
 
Gillian Blackwood led the way for Loyola in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking a prelims time of 9.68 before turning in a 9.71 in the final to finish fifth. Kathleen Shepherd was seventh in the final with a time of 9.77.
 
Grayce Heinemann had a strong fourth-place finish in the 800 meters, crossing the line in 2:19.97, while Carly Spinnler was sixth in 2:21.58.
 
Kayleigh Caggiano had a good early-season time in the mile, running 5:08.80 to finish seventh, ahead of Mary Sutton's 5:26.83 that was 16^th.
 
Megan Daviero was 10^th in the 600 behind Pugh's fifth with a time of 1:45.25. Ava Dunn and Rhoda Miller were 12^th and 13^th, respectively, in the 300 meters with times of 45.16 and 45.20. Kelly Williamson and Audrey O'Neill placed 13^th and 14^th in the 3,000 meters, running 11:12.04 and 11:12.13.
 
The Greyhounds stay in the region next weekend when they head to Fairfax, Virginia, for the Patriot Games on Friday, February 24.