The Illinois Springfield women's indoor track and field team was picked ninth in the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league office announced Wednesday.
Lewis was voted as the preseason favorite to win the conference title after collecting 12 first-place votes and 168 total points. The Flyers have won six consecutive GLVC Championships and 12 overall. Lincoln, UIndy, Southwest Baptist, and Maryville rounded out the top five.
The Prairie Stars, who continue to make strides under head coach Emmons King, will look to build on their progress from last season as they enter another competitive GLVC indoor campaign. UIS, which competes primarily in the distance races, finished ninth at the 2025 GLVC Championship and returns All-American and All-GLVC performer Madelyn Miller-Ross, along with All-GLVC 3,000-meter runner Kaleigh Inniss.
The full preseason poll is listed below:| Place | School | Points (1st-place votes) |
| 1. | Lewis | 168 (12) |
| 2. | Lincoln | 149 (2) |
| 3. | Indianapolis | 141 |
| 4. | Southwest Baptist | 137 |
| 5. | Maryville | 115 |
| 6. | Missouri S&T | 109 |
| 7. | Truman State | 97 |
| 8. | Drury | 81 |
| 9. | Illinois Springfield | 71 |
| 10. | McKendree | 60 |
| 11. | William Jewell | 53 |
| 12. | Rockhurst | 37 |
| 13. | Upper Iowa | 33 |
| 14. | Quincy | 23 |
The Prairie Stars will open the 2026 indoor season in January.