TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (April 21, 2024) – Led by senior Mark Lemke's (Carpentersville, Ill./Jacobsby) first-place finish in the 5,000m, the UIC men's and women's track and field programs concluded the two-day Gibson Invitational with multiple top-ten times in program history.

This year's Gibson Invitational featured more 30 teams, including DePaul, Milwaukee, Southern Illinois, Valparaiso and Eastern Illinois. 
 
COACH'S COMMENT
"This weekend was a great opportunity to compete against several top programs within our conference and a chance for the team to experience the host site for our upcoming outdoor MVC Championships," said head coach Paul Zavala. "We look forward to focusing on the conference meet in a few weeks and preparing our team for a competitive weekend."
 
TOP FINISHERS
Women

• Senior Jenna Boyle (Naperville, Ill./Metea Valley) clocked in a new personal best while running the 5000m. She took third with her time of 17:31.22, and earned the fourth spot in Flames record books for the event.

Update from the Gibson Invitational ??

Jenna Boyle takes 3rd Overall in the Women's 5000m with a New 24 sec PR of 17:31.22 ???? pic.twitter.com/rnF0gKcIE3

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) April 19, 2024

• Cailyn Persinger (Lee's Summit, Mo./Lee's Summit West/UMKC) placed sixth in the 1500m. Her time of 4:40.36 moves her to sixth all-time at UIC for the event, which is also a personal best for the graduate student.

New Outdoor T&F Top-10 Performance this past weekend ?? With a 4:40.36 - 1500m at the Gibson Invitational, Cailyn Persinger is now #6 All-Time ??#ChicagosCollegeTeam | #FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/s4pY4MUmML

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) April 21, 2024

• Makaya Phillips (Bloomington, Ill./Bloomington) marked a distance of 5.30m in long jump to take 11^th place. The freshman is now 10^th in UIC history.

New Outdoor T&F Top-10 Performance this past weekend ?? With a 5.30m - Long Jump at the Gibson Invitational, Makaya Phillips is now #10 All-Time ??#ChicagosCollegeTeam | #FireUpFlames pic.twitter.com/CwpKmjnqbw

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) April 21, 2024

Men

• Lemke was the first to cross the finish line in the 5000m, with a time of 14:31.29.

Update from the Gibson Invitational ??

Mark Lemke wins the Men's 5000m with a season's best of 14:31.29 ?????? pic.twitter.com/eCBufnsFAX

— UIC XC_T&F ???????????? (@UIC_XCTF) April 20, 2024

• Sophomore Daniel Chavez (Berwyn, Ill./Morton) was on Lemke's heels in the same event, finishing in second-place (14.44.50).
• Theodore Cunningham (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) represented the Flames in the 1500m, placing 15^th. The freshman's time of 3:58.72 was a season-high.

UP NEXT
The Flames will prepare for the historic Drake Relays next weekend. The three-day meet begins on Thursday and runs through Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. More information on the invite will be provided as it becomes available.
 
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