The University of Illinois Springfield cross country program prides itself on local talent. All but one runner hails from the state of Illinois — most from downstate.
Those local connections would become extra meaningful this weekend if the entire men’s cross country team qualified for the NCAA Division II meet for the first time in school history.
“It means a lot to us if we can go to the national meet,” UIS runner Blake Jones said. “We’re not just representing the Midwest. I think that’s why we get a lot of support from the community.”
This story was published in The State Journal-Register on Nov. 4, 2021.