Aug. 29, 2011

CHICAGO - The UIC men's cross country team is ranked 13th in the regional preseason cross country rankings as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Monday.

The Flames, who are classified in the Midwest region, are ranked 13th in the preseason poll after finishing the 2010 season ranked 12th.

"One of our big goals this year is to finish the season in the top 10 ranking in our region," said head coach Jim Knoedel. "We were 12th last season, but I feel we are ready to garner an 8th or 9th place finish. Last year, our guys were third at the Horizon League Meet which was a disappointing finish. We were capable of better, but we were thin at spots four, five and six. This year I'm looking for five All-League athletes (top 14) and want to challenge Butler, the defending champions, head-to-head at the Horizon League Meet."

UIC is expected to be led by senior Brian Denk (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale) who finished third at the 2010 Horizon League Championship and garnered All-Region accolades following a 25th-place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional.

"I've never had a successful athlete that didn't work extremely hard and Brian is no exception," said Knoedel. Brian's goals are to run at the NCAA Championships and I feel the consistency he has exhibited over the past year will put him in position to reach this level. Most people need the whip "cracked" in order to get their miles in, but Brian is such a hard worker I have to pull on the reins to get him to take it easy some days. He'll do any amount of work to reach his goals."

The Flames will commence the 2011 campaign on Saturday, September 3 when it hosts the UIC Home Opener at Swallow Cliff in Palos Heights, Ill. The race is slated to begin at 10 a.m.