In recognition of National Athletic Training Month, UIS Athletics is proud to spotlight Athletic Trainer Ryan Margold and his contributions to Prairie Star student-athletes.
Margold has built a career at the intersection of athletics and healthcare. As an Athletic Trainer at UIS, he works daily between the training room and competition venues, combining his passion for sports with a commitment to student-athlete well-being.
The UIS women's track and field team kicked off its outdoor season Friday at the WashU Distance Carnival with strong performances in the 5,000- and 10,000-meter races.
Freshman Mackenzie Billard led the way with a personal-best 18:27 in the 5K, closely followed by junior Marissa Roggensack, who ran 18:30. Junior Allison Thompson finished the 5K in 19:45, contributing to a solid team effort. In the 10K, Josslyn Gaona recorded a time of 38:28, marking a strong start to her outdoor campaign as well.
UIS men's track and field opened its outdoor season Friday at the WashU Distance Carnival, competing in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter races.
In the men's 5,000 meters, freshman River Derby posted a personal-best time of 15:43, while sophomore Lucas Naugle recorded a personal-best 16:13.
The Illinois Springfield baseball team (19-7, 8-1) secured a series-opening 3-2 victory over Quincy (19-10, 8-4) on Friday at the UIS Baseball Field.
After a clean top of the first from Ben Benoit, Tommy Atkinson led off for the Prairie Stars with a solo home run in the bottom of the inning for an early 1-0 advantage.
After a clean top of the first from Ben Benoit, Tommy Atkinson led off for the Prairie Stars with a solo home run in the bottom of the inning for an early 1-0 advantage.
The Prairie Stars head to Missouri this weekend for a pair of GLVC road doubleheaders, facing Drury on Saturday at noon in Springfield before traveling to Rolla for a Sunday noon doubleheader against Missouri S&T.
A few weeks into conference play, the GLVC standings remain tightly packed. Illinois Springfield enters the weekend sixth in the conference standings at 5-3, with Missouri S&T just ahead at 4-2 and Drury sitting at 4-4.
Illinois Springfield (21-9, 5-3 GLVC)
In recognition of National Athletic Training Month, UIS Athletics is proud to spotlight Assistant Athletic Trainer Abigail Kain and the vital role she plays in supporting Prairie Star student-athletes.
As the athletic trainer volleyball, women's basketball, and cross country/track and field at the University of Illinois Springfield, Kain works at the intersection of competition and care.
4/4 6:30 PM [L] UIS Women's Tennis at Missouri Baptist - PUSHED TO EVENING DUE TO RAIN, ADJUSTED TO 6:30 PM
[L] UIS Women's Tennis at Missouri Baptist - PUSHED TO EVENING DUE TO RAIN, ADJUSTED TO 6:30 PM
L 2-5
The GLVC preseason poll results were announced Thursday, placing Illinois Springfield 13th out of 13 teams. Indianapolis earned the top spot with 140 points, including nine first-place votes, and was picked as the favorite to win the 2026 men's outdoor track & field title.
The preseason poll is determined by the league's head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own team.
The GLVC preseason poll, voted on by the league's head coaches, was announced Thursday, placing Illinois Springfield 11th out of 14 teams. Indianapolis earned the top spot with 166 points, including 10 first-place votes.
UIS looks to its distance runners for top marks and point scoring. The team returns experienced athletes capable of contributing across distance and middle-distance events, building on a strong showing from cross country where UIS finished third.
The Illinois Springfield men's track and field team opens its outdoor season this weekend with two consecutive meets: the WashU Distance Carnival Friday in St. Louis, followed by the Millikin Big Blue Opener Saturday in Decatur.

