The Illinois Springfield men's cross country team has been ranked 29th in the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Coaches' Poll, released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

The Prairie Stars are one of six teams ranked in the poll that did not field a team at last year's national championship. UIS will aim to return to the national meet for the first time since finishing sixth in 2022.

The poll's top five teams include Wingate, Colorado School of Mines, Adams State, Grand Valley State and Western Colorado. In the Midwest region, Grand Valley State is fourth, Saginaw Valley State 10th, Lewis 13th, Michigan Tech 19th, Walsh 21st, Drury 26th and UIS 29th.

Projected automatic qualifiers in the Midwest are Grand Valley State, Saginaw Valley State and Lewis, while Michigan Tech and Walsh are also in the hunt. Grand Valley State is a perennial favorite despite returning just three members of its 2024 squad. Saginaw Valley State, with five of its starting seven runners returning, is expected to challenge the Lakers.

UIS looks to rise in the rankings and earn a berth at the NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships for just the second time in program history.

The 2025 NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships will be held at the Wayne E. Dannehl National Cross Country Course in Kenosha, Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 22.

USTFCCCA will release subsequent regional and national rankings most weeks of the regular season, on Tuesdays for regional rankings and Wednesdays for the national coaches' poll.