JOLIET, Ill. – For their last preparation meet before the MVC Outdoor Championships, UIC strung together 17 personal bests, one event winner, and one new freshman record at the St. Francis Fighting Chance Invite hosted by St. Francis between May 9^th and 10^th. 

MEN

• Paul Sackman set a new personal best and improved his No. 2 all-time ranking in the 200m with a 5^th place, 21.41 time
• Amare Harris placed 6^th in the 200m with a time of 21.45
• Jose Lozano placed 6^th in the 1500m with a new personal best time of 3:57.55. 

WOMEN

• Alessia Sarussi won the 800m with a new personal best time of 2:09.31, placing her in second on the UIC all-time list.
• Makaya Phillips set a new personal best in the long jump with a distance of 5.61m, earning her 6^th place at the meet and 5^th on the UIC all-time list.
• Jorie Irving set a new freshman record and ran a personal best in the 200m when she placed 8^th with a time of 25.02. 

 
COACH'S COMMENTS
"It was great to see our team continue to show a strong development in our last competition of the regular season that included a new freshman record," said head coach Paul Zavala. "As we turn our focus on the MVC Outdoor Championship this upcoming weekend, I believe we are ready to compete at a high level and finish the season on a high note."
 
UP NEXT
The Flames now turn their focus towards the MVC Outdoor Championship meet hosted by Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill. on May 17^th and 18^th. The meet will be at the Lee Hartzog Track and Field Complex. 
 
FOLLOW THE FLAMES
For more information on UIC's cross country and track & field 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).