Top 10 Highlights and Memories, accomplishments, and moments highlighted Loyola Marymount's 2018-19 school year. As we prepare for more excitement in 2019-20, we're counting down the Top 10 Moments of this past year.
The 2018-19 school year was bookended by a pair of seniors who earned their way into the NCAA Tournament as individuals.
In the fall's West Region Championships,
Koby Pederson ran the race of a lifetime and became the first-ever male from the LMU men's cross country program to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Pederson traversed the 10K course in 29:44.1 which is a new school record eclipsing Weston Strum's old mark by 46 seconds. Pederson, who was outside the top-50 in the first mile, methodically moved his way into position going into the last mile where he closed in a 4:26 to break into the top-3.
Pederson led the Lions to a 13th-place team finish, which ties their highest finish at the West Regional in both 2009 and last year.
Fast forward to the spring,
Riley Elmes made a return visit to the NCAA Regionals after tying for first place with a 6-under, 71-70-69—210 at the WCC Championships to close out April, one stroke off LMU's program record for the event. Elmes was one of 45 individuals to hear his name called in the Golf Channel's selection show.
The WCC First Team All-Conference performer put together LMU's second-best individual season in program history with a 71.24 stroke average, besting his previous mark of 71.33 from a season ago. His career 72.42 stroke average also ranks second all-time.
Elmes opened the NCAA Stanford Regional with a 69 on the first 18 holes. The senior closed out his career with a 69-74-74—217, and joined just Tyler Torano and Brian Locke as the only three Lions to receive multiple individual bids to the NCAA Tournament.
A look back at previous highlights from the countdown.
#10 – Coaches Receive WCC Awards and Hit Career Milestones
#9 – Academic Achievement
#8 - Ma'at Hembrick Honored
#7 – Tennis National Rankings
#6 - Lions in the Postseason
#5 – All-American Honors
#4 – Beating #1
#3 – WCC Championships Titles
