UIS Men's Cross Country took the GLVC title over Lewis on Saturday in Elsah, Ill. It was their first team championship in program history. Wyatt McIntyre led the way in 24:50 to finish first place and earn GLVC Cross Country Runner of the Year honors. Wyatt was followed by his brother, Noah McIntyre, who ran 25:02 for second place. The next four finishers for the Prairie Stars also earned all-conference honors.

"The program that Coach Pence installed here is really showing just how deep we are as a team." said Head Coach Emmons King. "Some of them have been working for five years for this conference title. I couldn't be more proud of our men and women that raced today at conference." Coach King was named the 2022 GLVC Men's Cross Country Coach of the Year. 

UIS had three runners in the top nine, and six in the top fourteen. Wyatt McIntyre improved his finish from seventh to first in just one year to earn his fourth all-GLVC honor. Noah McIntyre transferred to UIS from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and was a GLVC champion and National qualifier on the track for the Prairie Stars. He earned his first GLVC Cross Country honors on Saturday. Ryan Jones finished 22nd in the GLVC in 2021, and improved his place to ninth in 2022. Matt Moler, a graduate transfer from Drury, earned first GLVC Cross Country honors, and first GLVC honors as a Prairie Star. Sophomore Chris Cherry improved his place from 18th to 12th from the 2021 Championship to the 2022 Championship. He was the 2021 GLVC Men's Cross Country Freshman of the Year. Gabe Martinez earned his first all conference honors of his career with his 14th place finish, his best finish prior to 2022 was his 41st place finish in 2021. Seven members of the UIS Men's Cross Country team have all-GLVC honors, and five of those seven runners will be returning next year. 

Assistant Coach Tyler Pence mentioned that the team executed their game plan very well, even without one of their top runners, Cort Ross. "Wyatt and Noah ran great, bringing it in at one and two. Our three through six ran great together and battled for those spots at the end. The score was close, but we're ready for the regional."
 

Wyatt McIntyre	24:50	1st
Noah McIntyre	25:02	2nd
Ryan Jones	25:32	9th
Matt Moler	25:39	11th
Chris Cherry	25:40	12th
Gabe Martinez	25:43	14th
Noah Tegeler	26:50	50th

UIS Men's Cross Country will travel to Kenosha, Wis. for the NCAA Midwest Regional on Nov. 19. They are expected to qualify out of the Midwest Regional and run at the National meet on Friday, Dec. 2.