The University of Illinois Springfield track and field teams competed in day one of the GVSU Big Meet on Friday in Allendale, Mich. 

Lucas Baronello and Zach Panek kicked off the day of competition for the Prairie Stars with their collegiate debut appearances in the 5000 meter run. Noah Tegeler went next, running a just seconds above the 5000 meter PR he ran two weeks ago at the GVSU Bill Clinger Classic. Gabe Martinez and Ryan Jones were the final UIS competitors in the morning session. Martinez won Heat #5 by a quarter of a second. Both Martinez and Jones ran under 15 minutes in the 5000 meter for the first time and grabbed top-10 places on the UIS all-time list for indoor track.

Emma Leahy was the sole member of the women's team in competition on Friday. Leahy ran 19:23 in her indoor 5000 meter debut for 14th place in a heat of 30 runners. 

Cort Ross made his indoor track and field debut in an evening session of the men's 5000 meter run. Ross completed the race in 14 minutes and 35 seconds, running the top 5000 meter time by any Great Lakes Valley Conference athlete so far this season. 

Chris Cherry finished 8th in the men's 3000 meter run in 8 minutes and 14 seconds. Noah McIntyre was close behind in 8:16, and Matt Moler finished the day of competition for the Prairie Stars in 8:33. Each runner claimed a personal best in the event and a top-10 spot in the GLVC standings.

UIS will resume competition on Saturday morning at the GVSU Big Meet. 

Women's 5000m
Emma Leahy- 19:23.25*

Men's 3000m
Chris Cherry- 8:14.35* 
Noah McIntyre- 8:16.80*
Matt Moler- 8:33.79*

Men's 5000m
Cort Ross- 14:35.28* 
Gabe Martinez- 14:41.78*
Ryan Jones- 14:53.15*
Noah Tegeler- 15:35.12
Lucas Baronello- 15:45.65* 
Zach Panek- 16:16.82*

*Collegiate Indoor Track and Field Personal Record