The UIS men's track and field team will send a trio of athletes to the IC Hilltop Classic at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Ill. on Friday, marking the final meet of the regular season. The event serves as the last opportunity for Prairie Stars to qualify for the GLVC Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Entries
Finn Loken and Ayden Groves are slated to compete in the 800 meters, while Lucas Baronello will represent UIS in the 3,000 meters. This will be Loken's first 800 meters of the season after a solid 4:29.56 mile performance at the GVSU Big Meet last weekend.

Groves, who set the program's freshman record in the event last weekend (1:59.53), will look to continue his strong season. Baronello, who ran an 8:50.13 3K at the PNC Bank Bellarmine Classic this winter, ran a 15:42.99 5K last time out.

The current 18th place marks for the GLVC Championships are 1:58.56 for the 800 meters and 8:40.88 for the 3,000 meters. The UIS trio will be aiming to surpass these standards as they race to secure a place in the championship meet.

GLVC Standings
Nine Prairie Stars are currently positioned within the GLVC top-18 in their respective events, placing them in qualifying position for the upcoming GLVC Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Isaac Cortes (18th) is positioned in qualifying range in the the 3K (4th), the 5K (4th), the mile (9th), and the 800 meters (18th). Ryan Jones (7th) is in qualifying range for both the 800 meters and the mile run (8th). Balin Doud is also ranked in both events, sitting 13th in the 800 meters and 10th in the mile. Aidan Donohue (12th) and Dominic Cantarini (18th) round out the strong Prairie Star mile contingent.

Also in the 3,000 meters, Noah Tegeler (8th), Briar Nevills (9th), Brock Loftus (10th), and Doud (11th) have likely secured their qualifying spots. Alongside Cortes on the 5K list are Nevills (5th) and Matt Padilla (10th), further bolstering the team's depth.

While UIS ranks sixth in the distance medley relay, each school is allowed to enter one relay team, providing additional opportunities for qualification.

Follow Along
Live video and results for the meet will be available online.