July 17, 2015 The 2015-16 academic year begins in 38 days and UICFlames.com counts down the Top 25 Flames over the summer months (June 8-July 31). Each sport will be featured over eight weeks as we preview the upcoming year in UIC Athletics. In this installment of 'Top 25 Flames for 2015-16', we feature track & field throws athlete Desirae Ranberg. Ranberg was the runner-up in the hammer throw at the Horizon League Outdoor Championships (150' 1") and is a favorite to win the title as a senior at the 2016 event.
Elsewhere at the conference championships, Ranberg placed 10th in the discus throw (115' 3"). Earlier in the season, she finished ninth in the discus throw at the Chicagoland Championships (127' 2") and ninth in the hammer throw at the Benedictine Twilight (144' 4").
During indoor competition, Ranberg placed fourth in the weight throw at both the John Tierney Triangular (47' 5") and Lewis Open (46' 4.25"). Ranberg also excels in the classroom as she owns a 3.35 GPA as an Education major.
During UIC's 'Night of Champions' Academic Awards Banquet, Ranberg received the prestigious Thomas Beckham Scholarship. The scholarship is named after Dr. Thomas Beckham, who was responsible for the development of an academic support system and the upgrading of UIC's athletic facilities. Beckham was also instrumental in UIC's move into the North Star Conference, which evolved into the Mid-Continent Conference.
TOP 25 FLAMES
June 8 - Jake Dahlberg
June 10 - Stephenee Yancy
June 12 - Thomas Villamil
June 15 - Elaine Heflin
June 17 - Tai Odiase
June 19 - Ruvanna Campbell
June 22 - Michael Crepeau
June 24 - Brianna Hines
June 26 - Kei Ishimaru
June 29 - Kelly Fritz July 1 - Mitch Granger
July 3 - Jackie Altansarnai
July 6 - Trent Jarrett
July 8 - Kelsey Jensen July 10 - Kyle Hauser July 13 - Nicole Szabo July 15 - Mickey McDonald
