The Illinois Springfield cross country and track & field program has finalized its roster for the 2025-26 season. Ten newcomers have joined the Prairie Stars, including three women and seven men.
"I am very excited to welcome the 2025-26 UIS Cross Country & Track class to the Prairie," said head coach Emmons King. "These individuals all bring something unique to the team and will positively impact our roster.
We have a great mix of experienced college runners who will fit right into our scoring lineup, along with freshmen who are eager to get their college career started. We have high goals this year, and these are athletes who can make a lasting impression on our program. I can't wait to get them on campus soon!"
Women's Cross Country and Track & Field Freshman Class
Mackenzie Billard | Distance3 Mile: 18:29.4 | 1600: 5:41.12 | 3200: 11:49.7
Billard comes to Springfield from Hampshire, Ill., where she attended Huntley High School.
Emily Lepp | Distance
3 Mile: 20:05.5 | 1600: 5:38.34 | 3200: 12:28.13
Lepp joins the Prairie Stars from Waterloo, Ill., where she attended Waterloo High School.
Men's Cross Country and Track & Field Freshman Class
Chase Cooley | Middle-Distance3 Mile: 15:54.7 | 1600: 4:25.82 | 3200: 10:03.16
Cooley is a graduate of Belleville East High School in Belleville, Ill.
Charlie Borlin | Distance
3 Mile: 15:12.1 | 1600: 4:28 | 3200: 10:04.77
Borlin comes to Springfield from Washington, Ill., where he attended Washington High School.
River Derby | Middle-Distance
3 Mile: 15:30.3 | 400: 54.78 | 800: 1:59.86 | 1600: 4:27.6 | 3200: 9:50.43
Derby is a native of White Heath, Ill., and attended Monticello High School.
Logan Lott | Distance
3 Mile: 15:43.2 | 1600: 4:36.94 | 3200: 9:52.97
Lott is a graduate of South Elgin High School in Elgin, Ill.
Women's Cross Country and Track & Field Transfer
Victoria Regitz | Junior | Distance6K XC: 22:29.2 | 5K XC: 18:29.2 | 3K: 10:52.22 | 5K: 18:55.73 | 10K: 40:29.27
Regitz joins UIS from Missouri S&T, where she was a top runner and key scorer for the Miners. Originally from Rockville, Md., she attended Rockville High School. She narrowly missed All-GLVC honors at the 2024 GLVC Cross Country Championship and placed 115th at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional.
Men's Cross Country and Track & Field Transfer
Colin Graham | Junior | Distance1500: 4:00.92 | 3K: 8:31.15 | 5K: 15:19.06 | 8K XC: 24:41.4 | 10K XC: 31:31.9
Graham transfers to UIS from Wichita State. Originally from Rockford, Mich., he graduated from Rockford High School. He was a scoring runner for the Shockers at the 2024 NCAA Division I Midwest Regional and set an outdoor 5K personal best of 15:19 in April 2025.
Owen Whelan | Junior | Distance
1500: 4:10 | 3K: 8:59 | 5K: 15:44 | 8K XC: 26:17.2
Whelan transfers from Harper College and is originally from Schaumburg, Ill., where he attended Schaumburg High School. He ran a 5K personal best of 15:44 during the outdoor season of his sophomore year and is set to make his collegiate cross country debut this fall.
Will McGonigal | Graduate | Distance
Mile: 4:16 | 3K: 8:26.51 | 5K: 15:40 | 8K XC: 25:07
McGonigal comes to UIS after beginning graduate school at Central Washington. He previously competed for Wayne State (Neb.), where he posted standout times of 25:07 in the cross country 8K and 15:40 in the outdoor 5K. He is from Hailey, Idaho, and attended Wood River High School.
The 2025 season begins with the 10th Annual Prairie Stars Invitational on the evening of Sept. 5, 2025. This milestone event marks the program's anniversary and invites alumni and fans to join in the celebration. With ten talented newcomers and a full season that includes all postseason course previews, UIS aims for conference recognition and beyond in the year ahead.