Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Loyola University's Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational
Saluki Women Gain Valuable 6K Results at Lakefront Invite
09/26/2026 | 12:48:00 | Cross Country
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Southern Illinois women's cross country team finished eighth in the Women's 6K Open at the Sean Earl Lakefront Invite on Friday, totaling 228 points in Chicago.
Senior Hannah Meiser led the Salukis across the line, finishing 37th overall with a time of 21:43.35. Savanna Franzen followed in 59th place at 22:17.11, while freshman Jaylee Duncan finished 61st in 22:21.61. Ellary Blakey crossed the line in 73rd at 22:58.03, and freshman Sophie Krupa rounded out Southern Illinois' scoring five with a 78th-place finish in 23:32.87. Freshman Layla Janisch finished 81st in 24:19.09.
Here's how the Saluki women finished:
- 37th - Hannah Meiser - 21:43.35
- 59th - Savanna Franzen - 22:17.11
- 61st - Jaylee Duncan - 22:21.61
- 73rd - Ellary Blakey - 22:58.03
- 78th - Sophie Krupa - 23:32.87
- 81st - Layla Janisch - 24:19.09
Head Coach Angelina Ramos was particularly encouraged by the way several of the team's younger runners handled the move to a longer race distance.
"Really impressed with Savanna Franzen, Jaylee Duncan and Sophie Krupa's composure today as a sophomore and freshmen," Ramos said. "They pieced the new longer race distance together well and show great promise for the future."
Friday's meet gave several Salukis valuable experience over the 6K distance, with Franzen, Duncan and Krupa putting together composed performances in a competitive field. Southern Illinois finished the race with a top-five combined time of 1:52:53 and an average scoring time of 22:35.
UP NEXT
The Salukis will return to action on Friday, Oct. 2, at Notre Dame's Joe Piane Meet in Notre Dame, Indiana.
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