ST. LOUIS -  UIC senior distance runner Daniel Chavez has been named the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Track Athlete of the Week, the league announced Wednesday, following a record-setting performance to open the 2025-26 indoor campaign.

Chavez finished second in the first heat of the men's 5,000-meter run at Saturday's season-opening meet, clocking a school-record time of 14:09.79. The Berwyn, Illinois, native shattered the previous program mark while leading the Flames with one of the top performances of the early MVC season.

His effort continued a strong trajectory for the senior, who has been a consistent contributor in both cross country and track throughout his UIC career. Chavez's honor marks the program's first weekly MVC award of the 2025 season.

UIC returns to action this weekend as it returns to Gately Park for the Blue Demon Holiday Invite on Friday.