Jan. 21, 2007

Normal, Ill. - Sophomore Alex Sutphen's career-best time of 8:56.01 earned him a first-place finish in the 3,000-meter race to highlight the UIC track and field team's effort at the Redbird Indoor Invitational on Saturday afternoon.

The victory was the first of Sutphen's career as he bettered his prior personal best 3,000-meter time of 8:57.32 set last year at the Horizon League Indoor Championships.

Freshmen Scott Pauga and Andy Wall gave the Flames two other top-three finishes on the day with Pauga taking second in the high jump (2.02m) and Wall placing third in the long jump (12.70m).

On the women's side, third-place finishes by Lisa Petty and Kristen McMurray led UIC.

Petty finished third in the 3,000-meter run in 10:55.46. Freshman McMurray took third in the shot put with a toss of 10.80m.

The Flames will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the Wisconsin Invitational in Madison, Wis.