ROMEOVILLE, Ill. -- On a picture-perfect morning in Chicagoland, the UIC men's and women's cross country teams kicked off the 2017 campaign with strong performances at the Flames/Flyer Opener at Lewis University.

UIC Women's XC Recap

The day began with a 4K race among the female competitors. Facing a strong field of squads from around the area, the Flames held their own and finished fourth among the nine teams in attendance. UIC toppled Horizon League foes Milwaukee and Green Bay, as well as local teams DePaul, Chicago State and Lewis. The Flames were edged by Northwestern, Marquette and Northern Illinois.

Individually, junior Allison Hansen posted the top time for UIC as she crossed the finish line in time of 14:53.80, good for 15^th overall in the field of 102. Not only was that a personal-best time for the Lombard, Ill., native, but it was also a program record for the 4K.

Freshman Mahal Schroeder led the next pack of Flames home as she finished 25^th in a time of 15:24.36 fir her first collegiate meet. Natalie Jaramillo, Ai Kaisho and Michelle Borycki were close behind as each claimed a spot in the top 40.

Two more newcomers rounded out the UIC placements. Kayla Isom ran in the top 60 in a time of 16:10.43 and Hannah Ewald finished in the top 75 in a time of 16:50.39.

UIC Men's XC Recap

Once the 4K was complete, it was time for the men to take to the starting line for a 6K. The Flames ran third among the seven teams in the field of the men's race. UIC also ran past conference teams in Milwaukee and Green Bay, while also besting DePaul and Chicago State. Marquette claimed the team title, while Lewis finished second.

Senior Zade Kurdieh led the way with a personal-best 6K time of 19:26.27 to finish 17^th in the field of 72. Just over ten seconds later Walmer Saavedra finished 22^nd, just ahead of Zach Szczesniak, Tom Brennan and Carlos Cabrera. That trio came in 24^th, 25^th, and 26^th place, respectively.

Junior Nathan Mroz and freshman Chris Joseph also ran in the top 40 with Mroz clocking a time of 20:05.17 for 36^th place and Joseph posting a run of 20:15.22 to come in 40^th. Another newcomer, Martin Skucas, was stride-for-stride with Joseph as he finished right behind his classmate in 20:15.80. Sirlaurence King rounded out the runners for the Flames with a time of 20:56.54.

Two UIC standouts who are redshirting this season competed as individuals and unattached from the team score. Alex Bashqawi finished in the top 10, eighth overall, in 19:10.78. Brixton Rill was just outside the top 10, finishing 11^th in a time of 19:15.34.

Post-race Reaction

UIC interim head cross country coach Ashley Lucas discussed the efforts of the men's and women's teams with UICFlames.com:



Up Next

UIC will travel to Normal, Ill., on Friday, Sept. 8 for the Illinois State Invitational. The meet is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. CT.