UIS Athletics Closes 2025-26 with Team Success and Department Honors

6/26/2026 12:00:00 PM

The 2025-26 academic year was one of achievement across the board and continued growth for UIS Athletics, with Prairie Stars teams collecting academic honors, milestone performances, and breakthrough seasons.

The year also brought recognition for the department's top performers through its annual Night of Stars banquet, where UIS Athletics honored student-athletes and supporters for excellence in competition, academics, leadership, sportsmanship, and service.

Year in Review

The fall season featured a historic breakthrough for women's cross country as Madelyn Miller-Ross became the program's first GLVC individual champion and led the team to its best-ever third-place conference finish. The men's cross country team continued its consistency with another runner-up finish at the GLVC Championships and four All-GLVC performers.

On the soccer pitch, freshman Robin Lemke Bergseth earned GLVC Freshman of the Year honors after leading the men's team in scoring, while the women's squad picked up notable victories and produced multiple GLVC Players of the Week for the first time in several years.

Volleyball continued to make strides under new leadership, highlighted by Makenna Cox earning All-GLVC honors while senior setter Erica Sledge surpassed 2,000 career assists. The Prairie Stars also posted key regional victories and a conference weekend sweep as the program continued to build momentum.

During the winter season, men's basketball returned to the GLVC Tournament as Jordan Rice and Tye Banks both surpassed 1,000 career points. Women's basketball enjoyed a record-setting campaign highlighted by a victory over nationally ranked UMSL, First Team All-GLVC recognition for Kayla Rice, and an outstanding freshman season from Julia Mingus.

The spring brought continued momentum. Baseball climbed as high as No. 15 nationally and hosted an NCAA DII Midwest Regional site in the postseason. Softball opened the year with a dominant start and featured standout campaigns from Rosie Bartletti, Bailey Masching, and Calista Stahlhut.

Women's track and field continued its rise as Madelyn Miller-Ross earned First Team All-America honors indoors, won GLVC titles, and qualified for NCAA competition, while the men's program continued to compete among the conference's top distance squads.

Both golf programs flourished under first-year leadership. The men's team captured multiple tournament victories, including the UIS-hosted event, while Elaine Grant led the women's side by qualifying for the NCAA DII Women's Golf Championship. Meanwhile, both tennis programs made significant strides during their first seasons under new coaching, posting improved records and competitive depth throughout their lineups.

Department Major Award Winners

UIS Athletics also recognized its top individual performers with its annual department awards.

Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards
- Male: Pablo Herrera (Men's Tennis)
- Female: McKenna Gahagan (Women's Soccer)
Iron Star Awards
- Male: Pablo Herrera (Men's Tennis)
- Female: Rosie Bartletti (Softball)
Rookie of the Year
- Male: Robin Lemke Bergseth (Men's Soccer)
- Female: Julia Mingus (Women's Basketball)
Chancellor's Prairie Star Award
- Adam Wibbenmeyer (Baseball), recognized for exemplary leadership, sportsmanship, and community involvement.
Friend of Athletics Award
- Glen and Lola Garrison, honored for their longstanding support of Prairie Stars Athletics.
Orion's Belt
- Women's Cross Country and Track claimed the department's annual SAAC competition recognizing campus engagement, community service, and support of fellow teams.

Athlete of the Year

Following the conclusion of the competitive calendar, UIS Athletics announced its highest athletic honors:

Male Athlete of the Year: Jordan Rice (Men's Basketball)
Female Athlete of the Year: Madelyn Miller-Ross (Women's Cross Country & Track)

Looking Back on 2025-26

The 2025-26 season reflected the depth and continued growth of Prairie Stars Athletics.

Whether through championship performances, individual milestones, or contributions to the campus community, UIS student-athletes continued to raise the standard and add to the department's tradition of success.

Print Friendly Version