The Illinois Springfield women's cross country team tied its best-ever regional finish on Saturday, placing 13th out of 27 scoring teams at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional in Kenosha, Wis. The Prairie Stars ran one of their strongest collective races of the season, finishing in a tight pack of GLVC programs in the middle of the field — just behind Maryville and ahead of Drury and Truman State.

Senior Madelyn Miller-Ross led the way for UIS with an outstanding 10th-place finish in the women's 6K race, clocking a time of 21:16. Her performance not only earned All-Region honors but also marked a personal best at the 6K distance. Miller-Ross awaits selection as an individual participant for the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships, with selections officially announced Monday evening on NCAA.com. As a top-10 finisher, she has a strong chance to advance, as seven of the nine runners ahead of her are from automatic-qualifying teams — Grand Valley State, Cedarville, and Lewis.

Kaleigh Inniss was next across the line for the Prairie Stars, taking 55th place with a time of 22:37, contributing key points toward UIS's team score. Marissa Roggensack followed in 83rd with a time of 23:03, delivering her best race of the season.

The scoring lineup was rounded out by Josslyn Gaona (109th, 23:27) and Lauren McBride (138th, 24:05), both helping to secure the team's top-half finish in a highly competitive regional field. Freshman Mackenzie Billard (142nd, 24:11) impressed in her first regional appearance, while Allison Thompson (154th, 24:45) completed the UIS contingent.

"I couldn't be more proud of this team and everything they accomplished this year," said head coach Emmons King. "They made history by being regionally ranked and placing the highest ever at conference. They are creating something long-lasting. Everyone ran so tough today and ran for each other — that is what makes this team special."

Up Next
The NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships will take place on Saturday, November 22, on the same course in Kenosha, Wis. Stay tuned for the announcement of NCAA Championship qualifiers.