JACKSONVILLE, IL – The University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) men's cross country runners Alex Phelps and Preston Henze put together a 1-2 finish during Saturday's Illinois College Invitational.
 
Phelps and Henze managed to separate from the remaining 20 individuals as Henze held a 45.8-second advantage over third place.
 
"It can be a little tough mentally to go to a meet with a small group, since when we have a full roster at a meet it is 30 athletes," UIS cross country coach Mike Dewitt said.
 
Phelps charged to a time of 28 minutes, 57.9 seconds and average mile pace of 5:49.7 to top the field. Henze secured second (29:11.3) and clocked an average mile of 5:52.4.
 
"Alex and Preston took charge of the race though the first 4K, ran solid together to the 6K mark and competed against each other during the final 2K, with Phelps pulling ahead to the finish line."
 
Quincy University topped the field with a team score of 29. NCAA Division II schools Illinois College and Blackburn College earned second and third, respectively, with team scores of 48. Illinois College won the tiebreaker over Blackburn by recording the lowest four-runner score. Both teams raced five runners each.
 
UIS returns to action in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Championships next Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Kirksville, MO.