SOUTH BEND, Ind. (Feb. 18, 2023) – A small group of the UIC indoor track and field student-athletes finished their last meet before the Missouri Valley Conference Championships with solid performances at Notre Dame's Alex Wilson Invitational on Saturday. Junior Max Rivera (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) stood out for the Flames, claiming a pair of top-three finishes in the sprints.
 
COACH'S COMMENT
"We are excited to have more student-athletes enter the top 10 on our all-time lists after their performances on Saturday. This team continues to challenge themselves to compete at a high level," said head coach Paul Zavala. "Today was a great opportunity for our team to compete a final time this indoor season while also giving several of our athletes the competitive experience needed to prepare for the MVC Indoor Championships next weekend."
 
TOP FINISHERS
Men

• Rivera took home bronze for his third-place finish in two events, the 60m dash (6.89) and the 200m event (21.95).

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Max Rivera also takes the third spot for the 200m (21.95) ????#FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/JeX4jkaMow

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 18, 2024

• Classmate Paul Sackman (Lincolnwood, Ill./Niles West) competed in the same races as Rivera, placing fourth in the 60m (6.91) and fifth in the 200m (22.24).  

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Juniors Max Rivera (3rd - 6.89) and Paul Sackman (4th - 6.91) with top finishes in the 60m dash ??#FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/A1Gv4IUeS4

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 17, 2024

• In the distance races, sophomore Angel Solis (Aurora, Ill./Waubonsie Valley) placed 15^th in the 800m. His time of 1:54.99 puts him eighth on UIC's all-time list.

New Indoor T&F Top-10 Performance ?? With a 1:54.99 - 800m today at the Notre Dame Alex Wilson Invite, Angel Solis is now #8 All-Time ??#ChicagosCollegeTeam | #FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/c2v536DDzj

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 18, 2024

 Women

• Freshman Indigo Sterud (Rockton, Ill./Hononegah) crossed the finish line sixth in the mile with a time of 5:15.34.
• Fellow freshman Praise Oyebanji (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein) competed in the 800m, finishing 15^th with the fourth-fastest time in school history (2:12.82).

New Indoor T&F Top-10 Performance ?? With a 2:12.82 - 800m today at the Notre Dame Alex Wilson Invite, Praise Oyebanji is now #4 All-Time ??#ChicagosCollegeTeam | #FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/m5DwO1FHZr

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) February 18, 2024

UP NEXT
The Flames now turn their attention to the 2024 MVC Indoor Track & Field Championships that UIC will co-host with Valparaiso next weekend. The two-day meet will kick off on Sunday (Feb. 25) and conclude on Monday (Feb. 26) at the Dr. Conrad Worrill Track & Field Center at Gately Park in Chicago. More information regarding meet details will be provided later this week.
 
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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).