CHICAGO --- Looking to build off its performance at the National Catholic Invitational two weeks earlier, University of St. Francis' top five runners ran 45 seconds faster on Saturday to place 19th out of 39 teams at the Sean Earl/Loyola University Lakefront Invitational.

Junior Ian McDowell (Lansing Community College, MI/Lansing, MI) showed the most improvement gaining 65 seconds to finish in 27 minutes, 14 seconds.  That placed him third on the team and 117th overall.

Freshman Sean Smith (Winnebago H.S./Winnebago, IL) crossed the finish line first for the Saints and 51st overall with his time of 26:31.  Junior Michael McElyea (Joliet Junior College/Illiopolis, IL) was next at 115th overall off his 27:12 reading.

Junior Adam Yost (Sparta H.S./Sparta, MI) turned in a 27:21 time placing him 128th, while freshman Phil Rizzo (Evergreen Park H.S./Evergreen Park, IL) posted USF's fifth-best time at 27:56 to finish 179th.

USF totaled 498 points in the meet, which featured 408 runners. 

Miami University of Ohio captured the invitational outdueling host Loyola, 62-82.

Jed Christiansen, a member of Calvin College's alumni team, raced to the finish line first nailing down the individual meet title with his time of 24:51 on the 8K course.

The Saints make a quick turnaround competing in the Benedictine University Eagle Invitational on Friday at Community Park in Lisle, Ill.  The meet begins at 4:15 p.m.