TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – In its second cross country event of the 2026 season on Saturday, UIC faced some of the best teams in the country during the John McNichols Invitational hosted by Indiana State University on the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
 
The women's team placed 25th out of 28 teams in the 6,000-meter Championship race and eighth out of 11 teams in the 6,000-meter Open competition. The men's team finished 28^th out of 34 teams in the 8,000-meter Championship race.

WOMEN
Senior Emma Dubie, UIC's No. 10 all-time performer, led the Flames in the women's 6,000-meter Championship race recording a personal best time of 22.01.1 to finsh106^th. Senior Praise Oyebanji finished at 22:20.0, placing 134^th and junior Korima Gonzalez followed in 22:36.3 to finish 152^nd.

In the women's 6,000-meter Open race, Jadie Chavez finished with a time of 23:57.8 to place 64^th. Jazmin Diaz finished 76^th in 24:38.5 and Colette Lampa completed the course in 24:44.6 for 79^th place.

MEN
The Flames were led by senior Alexander Das in the men's 8,000-meter Championship race with a time of 25:24.3, finishing 140^th overall. Senior Theodore Cunningham posted a time of 25:59.5 to place 176^th, while junior Zachary Close finished 178^th in 26:02.5.

Complete results are available at Athletic Live.

COACH'S COMMENTS
"Today was another challenging competition with very warm temperatures, but still maintained a strong effort against some of the best teams in the country," said Coach Paul Zavala. "We will regroup from this weekend and be ready to compete at a high level in a few weeks at the University of Notre Dame."

UP NEXT
The Flames return to action at the Joe Piane - Notre Dame Invitational on Friday, Oct. 2, in South Bend, Ind. The meet is scheduled to begin at 9:40 a.m. CDT.
 
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