NORMAL, Ill. (March 31, 2024) – The UIC men's and women's track and field teams completed an action-packed weekend of competition to open the outdoor schedule. The Flames were in St. Louis for the WashU Distance Carnival on March 28-29, and then competed in Normal, Ill., at Illinois State's annual Redbird Challenge on March 30.
More than 100 teams competed at the WashU Distance Carnival, while the Redbird Challenge, brought out several programs from all three NCAA divisions. The UIC men finished seventh out 10 teams at the Redbird Challenge, while the women placed ninth out of 12 teams at that same meet.
COACH'S COMMENT
"During the two competitions this weekend, our team had several outstanding performances and an overall great start to the outdoor season," said head coach
Paul Zavala. "I'm excited to see our program and our student-athletes continually challenge themselves and take advantage of some great competition over the next few weeks."
TOP FINISHERS
Women
- Praise Oyebanji (Mundelein, Ill./Mundelein), who is fifth all-time at UIC for the 800 meters, placed sixth in that event at the WashU Distance Carnival. Her time of 2:11.96 is a new personal best for the freshman.
- Sitting eighth in the Flames record book for the 1,500 meters, senior Daniela Martinez (Chicago, Ill./Lane Tech) clocked in a new personal best (4:42.87) on March 29, placing 17th.
- Graduate student Cailyn Persinger (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit West/UMKC), who ranks fifth in UIC history for the 5,000 meters, also unlocked a new personal best (17:36.09) at the WashU Distance Carnival.
- Senior Olivia Dumas (DeKalb, Ill./DeKalb) finished second in the 200-meter dash (25.68) at ISU's Redbird Challenge, while sophomore Deja Richardson (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central) came in fifth with a personal-best time of 26.21.
- Senior Haley Dahl (Belvidere, lll./Belvidere North) also represented the Flames in the sprints on March 30 at ISU, crossing the finish line 12th in the 100-meter dash. Her personal-best time of 15.07 is good for fourth in Flames history.
Men
- Sophomore Daniel Chavez (Berwyn, Ill./Morton) competed in the 5,000-meter run at the WashU Distance Carnival, where he clocked in at 14:35.13 (21st place).
- Senior Mark Lemke (Carpentersville, Ill./Jacobs) finished the 10,000 meters with a time 30:43.30.
- Freshman Amare Harris (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) competed in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes at the Redbird Challenge, finishing in sixth (11.00) and fourth (22.16) place, respectively.
- Sophomore Georgios Siomos (Chicago, Ill./Rolling Meadows) delivered a new personal best and a fifth-place finish in the triple jump (13.50m) on March 30 at the ISU Redbird Challenge.
- Senior Anthony Gordon (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) also posted a personal best in the long jump pit (6.82m), coming in sixth place at the Redbird Challenge.
UP NEXT
The Flames will compete in the Chicagoland Championships, hosted by Elmhurst University on April 5-6. The event will take place at Langhorst Field and more information on the meet will be provided as it becomes available.
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).
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