ALLENDALE, Mich. -- UIC began the 2018-19 indoor track and field season on Friday by taking part in the Holiday Open hosted by Grand Valley State University. Several Flames started the season in sensational fashion, including victories in the women's and men's high jump by Peyton Wade and Josh Williams. Wade's mark of 1.70 meters set the new UIC indoor standard.

Wade, a redshirt senior, cleared 1.70 meters to claim the victory Friday. Teammate Janeka Stokes, who previously held UIC's indoor record also claimed a spot in the top 10 at GVSU, placing tied for 10^th at 1.54 meters.

In his first competitive action since returning from injury, Williams claimed the top spot on the men's side. The Chicagoan cleared 2.04 meters to top Eastern Michigan's Cameron Hart. Another Flame, newcomer Bryan Keubeng, achieved a PR in the high jump by clearing 1.94 meters in his first collegiate action.

After taking a redshirt during the 2017-18 season, Shaun Wollenweber was back in a UIC jersey on Friday. He finished second in the triple jump at GVSU with a mark of 14.55 meters.

On the track, Alex Bashqawi also returned to action and ran third in the 1-mile race with a time of 4:24.6. Another veteran, Brixton Rill ran second in the 3K event and just missed a PR in 8:37.68 during the first meet of the season. In his first collegiate indoor meet, Josh English narrowly missed the UIC record and ran 10^th in the 600-meter race in 1:23.99.

For complete results from the GVSU Holiday Open are available here.

The Flames will be back at GVSU for their next meet, the Mike Lints Alumni Meet, on Jan. 19, 2019.