NORMAL, Ill. -- UIC made the trip south down Interstate 55 on Friday afternoon to participate in the Illinois State Invitational at the Weibring Golf Course. The women's team claimed fifth place overall, while the men finished sixth.

UIC's women's team opened the afternoon by running a 5K, the longest distance they have faced in the young campaign. Senior Allison Hansen led the way, claiming eighth place overall in a time of 18:22.0, while a pair of newcomers also scored points for the Flames.

The men ran an 8K, which was the longest distance that group has seen in just two meets. For the second time in as many races, Walmer Saavedra paced UIC by running 19^th overall in 26:07.8.

"Overall today was not our best day collectively as a team on either side," said UIC head coach Ashley Lucas. "I don't know if it is the two hard weeks of trainings or the 90-plus heat, but those weren't the results we were looking for.

Women's 5K Highlights

• For the second time in as many races, senior Allison Hansen led the way for the Flames. The senior registered another top-10 finish, her second of the season. She was in a pack that clocked a 3K split of 10:51, which was about 16 seconds off the leader at that point. Hansen hung in close and edged her way to the finish in 18:22.0.
• UIC's Sahian Lopez also earned a top-20 finish on Friday. She ran 19^th overall in 19:10.1, a personal-best time by well over one minute (20:28.1). Her previous best came at the Louisville Classic in 2016.
• Two freshmen were among the top five runners for the Flames at the ISU Invitational. Freshman Abby Flammersfeld and Sylvia Waz crossed the line together with times of 19:46.4 and 19:49.4, respectively. Teammate Ai Kaisho was also in that pack at 19:52.9.
• Loyola's Lindsay Brewis had the top time ahead of six consecutive Missouri Tigers. Hansen came home less than five seconds after the final Mizzou runner in that group.

Men's 8K Highlights

• Walmer Saavedra led the charge for UIC's men once again. The junior notched a top-20 finish with a time of 26:07.8.
• Sophomore Carlos Cabrera was close behind his fellow Flame. Cabrera wound up 24^th overall as he set a new PR by exactly one second in 26:17.1.
• For the second week in a row, Brixton Rill was also in the top three for his team. The senior ran in 26:31.5.
• Another sophomore, Chris Joseph, posted a PR as well. He clocked a time of 27:11.9. He topped his previous by about 11 seconds on Friday.

For complete results, please click on the PDFs above.

Coach Lucas' Reaction
"Individually, Sahian [Lopez] had the best race in a UIC jersey, so that was great to see. I also thought freshmen Abby [Flammersfeld] and Sylvia [Waz] ran well. Carlos [Cabrera] and Chris [Joseph] ran great races as well, both hitting PRs, which is always a positive.

"I think we just need to get back to work, take this race in stride and grow from it."

Up Next

• UIC will race close to home its next time out, participating in the Loyola Lakefront Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 29.
• The Flames will take the course at Montrose Harbor at 11:15 a.m. (women) and 12:00 p.m. (men).
• The program will host an Alumni Day that afternoon. The team will host a potluck and meet-and-greet following the races.