The UIS men’s track & field team competed at the GLVC Outdoor Track & Field Championships from Thursday through Saturday, closing out the 2026 season with strong distance performances led by Matt Padilla, who accounted for seven of the team’s 12 points by finishing as a top-five competitor in two events. UIS took 12th place of 13 teams.
On Saturday, Padilla highlighted the Prairie Stars’ effort in the 5,000 meters, placing 4th in 14:51. Dom Cantarini followed in 14th (15:15.29), just ahead of Joey Karlesky in 15th (15:15.44). Charlie Borlin rounded out the group in 24th with a time of 15:45.
UIS also saw contributions in the 1,500m and 800m preliminary rounds at the championship, where Chase Cooley and River Derby gained valuable championship racing experience early in their careers.
Earlier in the meet on Thursday night, Padilla delivered a standout performance in the 10,000 meters, finishing 5th in a personal-best 30:36. Karlesky placed 7th (30:41), followed by Cantarini in 12th (31:36), Isaac Cortes in 13th (31:44), Borlin in 18th (32:19), and Garrett Wagoner in 23rd (32:54).
The weekend of competition marked the end of the 2026 season for the UIS men’s track & field team.
