The University of Illinois Springfield men's cross country team has been projected to finish second in the 2024 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) preseason coaches' poll, as announced by the league office on Friday morning.
The preseason poll is selected by the league's head coaches, who, per GLVC Bylaws, are not permitted to vote for their own team.
The Prairie Stars received one first-place vote and 127 total points, reflecting strong expectations for the upcoming season. UIS finished second at the GLVC Championship last year and fifth at the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional Under the guidance of head coach Emmons King, now in his third season, the team aims to build on its impressive performance from the previous year.
The UIS men's cross country team has added fifteen newcomers, nine of which are experienced transfers. Key returners include 2023 All-GLVC honorees Briar Nevills and Ryan Jones, who are expected to play pivotal roles.
The reigning GLVC champion Lewis Flyers topped the poll with 11 first-place votes and 142 points. The Drury Panthers secured the final first-place vote and totaled 123 points in the poll. The Panthers finished third at the GLVC Championships last year.
UIS will serve as the host institution for the 2024 GLVC Cross Country Championships, set to come to campus on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The Prairie Stars will open the season with the Hy-Vee Prairie Stars Invitational on Friday, Sept. 6.
2024 GLVC MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY PRESEASON POLL
| Rank | School | Points (1st-Place Votes) |
| 1 | Lewis | 142 (11) |
| 2 | Illinois Springfield | 127 (1) |
| 3 | Drury | 123 (1) |
| 4 | Missouri S&T | 103 |
| 5 | Southwest Baptist | 95 |
| 6 | Missouri-St. Louis | 90 |
| 7 | Indianapolis | 85 |
| 8 | Truman State | 72 |
| 9 | Maryville | 58 |
| 10 | Rockhurst | 46 |
| 11 | McKendree | 32 |
| 12 | Quincy | 21 |
| 13 | William Jewell | 20 |