The Illinois Springfield women's cross country team opened its season in dominant fashion, winning the 10th Annual Prairie Stars Invitational on Friday evening with a team score of 19 points.

Senior Madelyn Miller-Ross led the way, taking the individual title in a course-record time of 18:01.07. Her performance broke the previous UIS Cross Country Course women's 5K record of 18:21.2, set by a runner from Purdue Northwest at this meet in 2021.

UIS claimed the top four spots in the race with Miller-Ross, Kaleigh Inniss, Victoria Regitz, and Josslyn Gaona finishing first through fourth. Truman State runners took the next four positions before Marissa Roggensack secured ninth overall, rounding out the Prairie Stars' scoring five to clinch the team victory.

Truman State, a GLVC opponent, finished second with 36 points, while NCAA Division III foe Millikin placed third with 85. Quincy took fourth with 124 points, and fellow GLVC competitor Missouri-St. Louis finished seventh with 187.

"I am extremely pleased with how our women raced today," head coach Emmons King said. "Being able to come away with personal best times and the team win is huge. This season opener sets the team up nicely for a historic season. I can't wait to see how they improve from here!"

The Prairie Stars swept the team titles on both the men's and women's sides, marking the third consecutive year UIS has achieved the feat.

Up Next
UIS will compete next at the Bradley Intercollegiate at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Ill., on Friday, Sept. 19.