Savoy, Ill. – The UIC men's and women's cross country teams begin their 2026 season on Friday evening at the Fighting Illini Invitational, hosted by the University of Illinois. The meet will take place at the Orange and Blue Golf Course (800 Hartwell Dr.) in Savoy, Ill., with the women's 4,000-meter race starting at 6:30 p.m. CT, followed by the men's 6,000-meter race at 7:00 p.m. CT.

The Flames will compete against two Missouri Valley Conference programs, including Illinois State and Indiana. This will be the second time UIC has participated in a cross country invitational hosted by the University of Illinois.

The men's team is ranked 15th in the Midwest Region in the USTFCCCA Preseason Rankings, marking just the second time in program history that UIC has appeared in the regional preseason rankings after earning the distinction last season.

Live results: ShaZam Racing

With six of last season's top seven performers returning on both the men's and women's sides, UIC enters the season opener with a strong blend of depth and experience.
 
FLAMES TO WATCH
Women:

• Emma Dubie
• Praise Oyebanji
• Korima Gonzalez

Men:

• Zachary Close
• Theodore Cunningham
• Alexander Das

FOLLOW THE FLAMES
For more information, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow Flames Track & Field on (@UIC_XCTF and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_xctf and @uicflames).