The Illinois Springfield women's cross country team delivered a program-best performance at the GLVC Championships on Saturday. UIS earned a third-place finish with 97 points scored, highlighted by the standout effort of Madelyn Miller-Ross, who captured the individual GLVC title.

The 6K opened with Southwest Baptist freshman Gracie Troester surging to an early lead of over 20 meters that held through the opening kilometers. A seasoned chase pack — including multiple runners from Lewis, UIS and Maryville — shadowed Troester until the field began to splinter before 3K. Miller-Ross had moved into position midrace, and by 5K was racing a duo of Lewis challengers for the title.

Miller-Ross held off the Flyers over the final kilometer to claim the championship in 21:35, edging Lewis' Mary Edwards (21:38) and Josephine Bober (21:39). With the win, she is the GLVC Women's Cross Country Runner of the Year and the first Prairie Star to win a women's cross country title.

Kaleigh Inniss followed with a strong performance, securing twelfth place with a time of 22:19, marking her second All-GLVC cross country honors in as many years. Josslyn Gaona and Marissa Roggensack finished 22nd and 23rd, respectively, with times of 23:01 and 23:02, contributing significantly to the team's overall effort, never dipping below 25th at any split in the race. Lauren McBride (23:30, 43rd) rounded out the UIS scoring five, while Allison Thompson (23:41, 44th) finished close behind after running much of the race alongside McBride. Freshman Mackenzie Billard (23:46, 47th) added important depth in her conference championship debut. 

Completing the roster were Olivia Thomsen (24:41, 70th), Victoria Regitz (24:50, 74th) — returning after missing the Lewis Crossover — Audrey Wagoner (24:52, 89th) and Ava Allison (26:07, 97th).

"What a historic day for these ladies!" head coach Emmons King said. "They've been working hard all season long, and it paid off big time this morning. Maddie earning her first individual victory has been a long time coming, her work ethic and dedication are unmatched. Every one of these women played a huge part in this historic team finish. I couldn't be happier for them!"

The third-place team finish marks the program's best result at the GLVC Championships, improving on last year's fourth-place showing and matching preseason expectations. With Miller-Ross' individual crown and a top-three team performance, the Prairie Stars now turn their attention to the NCAA DII Midwest Regional Championships at Wisconsin-Parkside on Nov. 8.