Chicago, Ill. (Oct. 31, 2024) Conference Championship season is here for UIC men's and women's cross country teams, as both programs prepare to head to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to compete in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships. The meet begins with the women's 6,000 meter at 11:00 a.m. CT, and the men's 8,000 meter at noon CT.
 
In the pre-meet coaches poll that was filled out by all MVC coaches, the men's team was picked to finish fifth this weekend, while the women's team landed in eighth.
 
More information on the race can be found here.
 
Last Time Out - The Pink Classic
 
In a hard fought Friday afternoon Oct. 18, both the men's and women's team competed hard with several runners putting in strong performances. Continuing his strong 2024 season, junior Daniel Chavez (Berwyn, Ill./Morton) set a new 8000m school record with a time of 24:06, breaking his previous record. For the women senior Daniela Martinez (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) ran a 21:34, moving her into fifth all-time in school history.
 
Flames to Watch
Women
 

• The 2024 season has seen two Flames write their names in the record books with senior Daniela Martinez (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) running the fifth fastest time in school history in 6,000 meter, and sophomore Praise Oyebanji (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) moving up to tenth after the Pink Classic.
• The Flames will look to graduate-student Alessia Sarussi (La Grange, Ill./Lyons Township) for a veteran presence headed into this championship weekend.

 
Men
 

• Coming into the championship weekend, school record holder Daniel Chavez (Berwyn, Ill./Morton) will look to improve on an already historic time in the 8,000 meter.
• Not far behind him, senior Luke Malone (Plain City, Ohio/Jonathan Adler) is coming off a time of 24:29.38 in the 8,000 meter race and currently sits at third all-time in UIC history.
• Junior Angel Solis (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) improved by 56 seconds last time out which gave him the sixth fastest time in the 8,000 meter in school history.

 
Race Information
 
The Flames will start racing at 11:00 a.m. CT with the women's 6,000 meter first, and the men's 8,000 meter race beginning at noon CT. The meet will take place at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course.
 
The Live Video Link can be found here. (ESPN + Paid Subscription)

For results click here.
 
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FOLLOW THE FLAMES
 
For more information on UIC's cross country and track & field programs, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_XCTF or @UICFlames) and Instagram (@UIC_XCTF or @uicflames).