DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras track and field program opened its season on Saturday at the Dubuque Championships, pairing off against the University of Dubuque and Clarke University. Six athletes in seven events were crowned champions while the Duhawks swept the 4x400 relays.

TEAM SCORES
Women - 1st (43 points)
Men - 2nd (28 points)

TOP PERFORMANCES
Women
Gabrielle Noland | 55m | 300m
In her first collegiate performance, Noland made quite the impression, winning both the 55m and 300m races. Her converted time of 7.90 in the 55m ranks seventh in Division III. In the 300m, Noland bested Clarke's Breanna Judkins by nearly two full seconds, running 41.48.

Audrey Hooks | 55m Hurdles
Despite finishing second in the 55m Hurdle Finals, senior Audrey Hooks' slid into fourth in Division III with her time of 9.18. On Saturday, she ran the 55m Hurdles in 8.52.

Allie Serres | 600m
Following a strong freshman campaign, sophomore Allie Serres kicked off her season in strong fashion, winning the 600m. Out of seven runners, six were Duhawks, led by Serres' time of 1:39.73, finishing just ahead of senior Alexis Hanson at 1:39.74.

Elizabeth Brandenburg | Pole Vault
Returning NCAA Division III National Runner-Up in the Outdoor Pole Vault, senior Elizabeth Brandenburg won on Saturday, clearing 3.44m, which ranks seventh nationally.

Elyse Acompanado | Long Jump
Freshman and Milwaukee native Elyse Acompanado showed little signs of inexperience on Saturday, winning the Long Jump with a three-tenths gap over second place, posting a distance of 5.42m. Her mark ranks sixth in Division III.

4x400 Relay | Gabrielle Noland, Alexis Alt, Allie Serres, Alexis Hanson
Thanks to almost a four-second gap, Loras claimed top honors in the women's 4x400 with a time of 4:06.96. Anchored by Hanson, the Duhawks' time ranks fourth nationally, six seconds behind the leaders from Wash.-St. Louis.

Men
Shamari Scott | 300m
In his Duhawk debut, freshman Shamari Scott edged Dubuque's Isaiah Ellis for the win in the 300m. Scott's time of 36.62 clipped Ellis by .24.

4x400 Relay | Evan Gradoville, Kylian Lally, Shamari Scott, Patrick Mikel
Loras continued its strong performances in the 4x400 on Saturday, winning with a near four-second gap at 3:26.1, which ranks third in Division III.

Hunter Dunlap | Pole Vault
Junior Hunter Dunlap cleared 4.31m in the Pole Vault in a field consisting of three of his teammates. Dunlap was one of two vaulters to clear the four-meter mark, edging Clarke's Nick Peterson by two-tenths.

UP NEXT
With the first meet under their belt, the Duhawks will head to Arizona for their annual training trip, utilizing the warm-weather to practice outdoors and prepare for the season, which kicks off on Jan. 4.