McLean County Times

The Illinois State Cross Country team is preparing to compete at the 2024 MVC Championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The event will take place on Friday morning at the Pheasant Ridge Golf Course, starting with the women's 5,000-meter race at 11 a.m., followed by the men's 8,000-meter race at noon.

Illinois State will face competition from other teams within the MVC field, which includes 12 teams in the women's race and 11 in the men's race.

Reflecting on last year's performance at the MVC Championship, Illinois State achieved top-5 finishes in both events. The women's team, led by Mattison Plummer, secured third place with a point total of 93. Meanwhile, the men's squad finished fourth, with Mathis Chavand achieving a second-place finish.

In the MVC Women's Pre-Championship Poll, Bradley leads with 12 first-place votes. Belmont and Indiana State are tied for second place. Illinois State ranks fourth.

For the men’s poll, Belmont is ranked first with seven first-place votes. Illinois State follows in second place with two first-place votes.

The Illinois State women’s starting lineup includes Grace Erb (So.), Trixie Johnson (So.), Mattison Plummer (Sr.), Maggie Reed (Jr.), Lauren Schulze (Sr.), Kaitlin Skeate (Sr.), and Astrid Van Breedam (Fr.). The men’s lineup features Yusuf Baig (Jr.), Julian Baker (Fr.), Mathis Chavand (R-Sr.), Nick Doud (Gr.), Zack Loomis (Sr.), Blake Oleson (So.), William Sinclair (Gr.), Josh Weeks (Fr.), and Noah Penry (So.).