UIC's Ehrhardt, Karkalis Sweep Cross Country Runners of the Week Honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- UIC junior Tess Ehrhardt (Geneva, Ill.) has been named Horizon League Women’s Runner of the Week, while junior teammate Photis Karkalis (Mount Prospect, Ill.) has been named Horizon League Men’s Runners of the Week for the week of Sept. 24-30.

Ehrhardt bested a field of 167 runners to take the top spot at the College of DuPage Invitational. Her 5K time of 18:11.7 was nearly 10 seconds better than fellow Horizon League competitor Allison Anich of Milwaukee. The junior led the Flames to a narrow, four-point victory over Milwaukee. This is Ehrhardt’s first Horizon League Runner of the Week honor.

Karkalis finished in third-place at the College of DuPage Invitational. His 8K time of 25:45.2 was a mere 7.1 seconds off the pace set by Brent Gaither of North Central College. Karkalis was one of four UIC runners to finish in the top 15, leading the Flames to a second-place overall finish. This is the first time Karkalis has earned the distinction of Horizon League Runner of the Week.

The Flames compete next on Oct. 4, joining fellow Horizon League schools Green Bay, Oakland, Valparaiso, and Youngstown State, at the Notre Dame Invitational.

Top Runners for the Week:
Sam Leschisin, Milwaukee (Sr., Neenah, Wis.) - Posted a new personal best at the College of DuPage Invitational. Her 5K time of 26:21.3 was good for 11th place.
Ally Anich, Milwaukee (Fr., Racine, Wis.) - In just her second career start, the freshman finished in second-place at the College of DuPage Invitational.
Sarah Mauel, Green Bay (So., Green Bay, Wis.) - Mauel finished in third-place at the College of DuPage Invitational with a 5K time of 19:07.9. This is her second top-five finish in her last two races.

Cross Country Runners of the Week:
Sept. 3 Michael Cox (Oakland); Louisa Coppola (Detroit)
Sept. 9 Eric Rupe (Youngstown State); Louisa Coppola (Detroit)
Sept. 16 Weston Brusky (Milwaukee); Samantha Hamilton (Youngstown State)
Sept. 23 Martin Nelkie (Detroit); Jessica Richardson (Valparaiso)
Sept. 30 Tess Ehrhardt (UIC); Photis Karkalis (UIC)