ALLENDALE, Mich. (Feb. 11, 2023) – The UIC indoor track and field programs recorded multiple top-ten finishes at this weekend's GVSU Big Meet. UIC's underclassman jumpers stood out for the Flames during the two-day meet, which was hosted by Grand Valley State University. Freshman Makaya Phillips (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) took home gold in the women's long jump, while sophomore Georgios Siomos (Chicago, Ill./Rolling Meadows) placed third in the men's triple jump.

Outstanding performances and new additions to the Top-10 Lists at the GVSU Big Meet this weekend ????#ChicagosCollegeTeam | #FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/jBFYUie28y

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 11, 2024

COACH'S COMMENT
"I'm excited by our performance as a program against many of the top teams from the Midwest this weekend," said head coach Paul Zavala.  "This weekend's competition was another step in preparing us for a great Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track & Field Conference Championships in a few weeks."
 
TOP FINISHERS
 Women:

• Phillips placed first in the long jump on Saturday, jumping 5.39m. Her first-place mark also moved her up the UIC all-time lists to fourth-place.

Update from the GVSU Big Meet Saturday ??

Freshman Makaya Phillips wins the Women's Long Jump (5.39m) ????#FireUpFlames | #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/T72whAncaF

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 10, 2024

• Fellow classmate Ava Maglaya (Romeoville, Ill./Romeoville) jumped a distance of 10.36m in the triple jump, which secured her a sixth-place finish on Saturday.
• Graduate student Cailyn Persinger's (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit West/UMKC) time in the mile Friday (5:02.93) moved her to fifth all-time in program history for the event. She placed 18^th at the Big Meet, while senior Daniela Martinez (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) finished 33^rd in the event with a time of 5:06.61.

New Indoor T&F Top-10 Performance ?? With a 5:02.93 - Mile this weekend at the GVSU Big Meet Friday, Cailyn Persinger is now #5 All-Time ??#ChicagosCollegeTeam | #FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/9ofUbeGOaB

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 11, 2024

Men:

• Siomos placed third in triple jump on Saturday, with a distance of 13.39m.

Update from the GVSU Big Meet Saturday ??

Sophomore Georgios Siomos takes 3rd in Men's Triple Jump (13.39m) ????#FireUpFlames | #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/NrJVWlzORv

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 10, 2024

• Junior Paul Sackman (Lincolnwood, Ill./Niles West) clocked in top-ten performances in both of his events on Saturday. He came in fifth in the 200m (21.89) and sixth in the 60m dash (6.92). Classmate Max Rivera (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) also competed in the 60m dash Friday, finishing in 11^th (6.91).

Update from the GVSU Big Meet Saturday ??

Junior Paul Sackman finishes in 5th in the 200m & #2 UIC All-Time (21.89) ??#FireUpFlames | #ChicagosCollegeTeam pic.twitter.com/x4Pim73FI3

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 10, 2024

• Graduate student Dathan Maton (Chatham, Ill./Glenwood) represented the Flames in the distance run on Friday, placing 14^th in the 3000m (8:24.07).

UP NEXT
The Flames will compete in one more meet prior to the 2024 MVC Indoor Track & Field Championships. UIC will head to South Bend for the second time this season for the Alex Wilson Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame. More information regarding match details will be provided prior to Saturday's competition.
 
FOLLOW THE FLAMES
For more information on UIC's track & field and cross country 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).