Prairie Stars Claim 10th Annual Prairie Stars Invitational Title with Strong Pack Finish

By Libby Price

The Illinois Springfield men's cross country team captured the team championship at the 10th Annual Prairie Stars Invitational on Friday evening, scoring 25 points to top the field in the 7K race at the UIS Cross Country Course.

UIS packed seven runners inside the top 10 overall, led by newcomer Colin Graham, who placed third in 21:56. Joey Karlesky and Noah Tegeler joined him in the top five, while Owen Whelan and Brock Loftus rounded out the Prairie Stars' scoring five.

Millikin finished second with 61 points, followed by GLVC opponent Truman State in third with 80. Missouri-St. Louis placed fifth with 139 points, and Quincy finished ninth with 220 to round out GLVC representation.

"Our men's team showed depth today," head coach Emmons King said. "We had a 20-second spread for our one through five runners, which will benefit us in the postseason. We have an opportunity for a lot of our athletes to step into scoring positions this year, which will be exciting!"

Together with the women's team title, UIS swept the Prairie Stars Invitational for the third consecutive year.

Up Next
The Prairie Stars will race next at the Bradley Intercollegiate at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Ill., on Friday, Sept. 19.