DES MOINES, Iowa – UIC delivered another strong showing Friday at the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Championships, hosted by Drake University. The Flames' efforts were highlighted by a record-breaking performance and numerous personal-best efforts from the women's team.
 
The women placed seventh out of 11 teams in the 6,000-meter race, recording the fastest top-five team average in program history at 21:48. The men also finished seventh among 11 teams in the 8,000-meter race at A.H. Blank Golf Course.
 
WOMEN
Senior Emma Dubie led the Flames by setting a new UIC program record in the women's 6,000-meter race, placing 13th overall in 20:43. Dubie broke the previous school record of 20:51, set by Tess Ehrhardt in 2014. Her performance marked the highest individual finish by a UIC woman since the Flames joined the MVC and earned her All-MVC Second Team honors.
 
Junior Korima Gonzalez and senior Praise Praise Oyebanji crossed the finish line together in 21:33, placing 37th and 38th, respectively. Their performances moved both runners into a tie for No. 5 on UIC's all-time performance list.
 
Additional personal-best performances came from Isabela Garcia, who placed 64th in 22:29, freshman Precious Oyebanji, who finished 70th in 22:36, and Mya Coglianese, who placed 73rd in 22:41.
  
MEN
In the men's 8,000-meter race, senior Theodore Cunningham led UIC with an eighth-place finish in 24:05, earning All-MVC First Team honors for the first time in his career.

Junior Zachary Close finished 26th in 24:37, while senior Alexander Das placed 45th in 25:06. Results are available at: AthleticLIVE.
 
COACH'S COMMENTS
"Our team battled hard against a very competitive Missouri Valley Conference and ultimately didn't get the overall team results we were looking for this weekend," said Coach Paul Zavala. "For the Midwest Regional Championships in a couple of weeks, we will focus on putting together a stronger performance and prepare to compete against some of the best teams in the country."
 
The Flames continue championship season on Friday, November 13 at the NCAA Midwest Regional in Ames, Iowa.

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