(MARQUETTE COMMUNICATIONS) MECHANICSVILLE, VA – The Marquette University cross country team competed in the 2026 BIG EAST Cross Country Championships Friday morning at Pole Green Park, with the men placing fifth and the women finishing eighth.
“What a day! Far and away the best day we have had since I’ve been in charge. We didn’t just place well, it was the way we did it. We moved up every kilometer of both races and outperformed all the projections for how the team would do. I am so proud of this group, they all worked hard and worked for each other, and got their reward. We came into the race saying we wanted to compete with several teams and we won the matchups we set for ourselves” Associate head cross country coach Jack Hackett said of his team’s performance.
Marquette’s men had a breakthrough championship, finishing in fifth place in the team standings with 173 team points. The fifth-place finish is the best placement for the men since placing 4th in 2019, while the 173 team points are the ninth lowest in program history and the lowest since 168 points in the 2020 race.
“The men’s team was also out in the back, they were dead least as a team through 1k, but moved up throughout the race and got into 5th by the 5k. The heat really got going during their race which slowed things down a little bit. Dylan was in the top 10 underclassmen in the field. He led the team again and set the tone for the day, moving up the field. Nick Parrell had a great race securing a decent PR and placing high up in the field. Logan continued his climb up in the Big East. Will Allen had probably his best race for Marquette when the team needed it and is a large reason why we were able to place so well. Edgar was another guy who has found some form at the right time, rounding out our scoring. Freshmen Nick Ahlheim deserves credit again for the awesome season he is having. This hot day was brutal, especially on youth, but he stepped up and competed well” Hackett said.
Sophomore Dylan Riniker led the Golden Eagles, finishing in 27th with a time of 24:27.1, the ninth-best individual placement in team history and the highest individual finisher since Ryan Burd finished 16th in 2019. Senior Nick Parrell finished 32nd in a personal-best time of 24:33.5, while classmate Logan Goodman finished 40th in 25:04.6. Will Allen placed 44th with a time of 25:12.5, and Edgar Valles finished 58th with a time of 25:47.3.
The Marquette women finished in eighth place with a team score of 268, MU’s highest since placing ninth in the 2022 championships. Marquette’s 268 team points are also the lowest since Marquette had 186 points in 2021.
“The women’s race got out fast, Mia was dead last through 200 meters and ended up 72nd. She moved up really well as she always did and had an almost one minute PR. Alexa in her last conference meet had an awesome performance, dropping 40 seconds off her PR. Sadie Kibelstis had her best race for Marquette ever with a 10-second PR as well. Really most of the team ran well, Izzy in her first BIG EAST should be proud of her race. Elise Fischer had a big PR and was our third today. Taya Gummerson gritted through and delivered for the team getting ahead of Creighton’s fourth and Seton Hall’s third runner” Hackett said.
All but one Marquette runner earned a new personal-best time on the 6k course, including all the scoring five. Sadie Kibelstis led the Golden Eagles with a 53rd-place finish, completing the 6k course in 22:10.4 Freshman Isabelle Wiebe followed in 64th with a personal-best time of 22:32.4, with sophomore Elise Fischer finishing just behind in 65th with a time of 22:36.1. Senior Mia Nutile finished 72nd in 22:49.8, while fellow classmate Alexa Overstreet wrapped the scoring five placing 73rd in 22:53.4.
MARQUETTE RESULTS
WOMEN’S 6K – 8th Place – 268 Points
Sadie Kibelstis, Jr. – 53rd, 22:10.4 (PB)
Isabelle Wiebe, Fr. – 64th, 22:32.4 (PB)
Elise Fischer, So. – 65th, 22:36.1 (PB)
Mia Nutile, Sr. – 72nd, 22:49.8 (PB)
Alexa Overstreet, Sr. – 73rd, 22:53.4 (PB)
Taya Gummerson, So. – 75th, 22:55.3 (PB)
Kaylie Earl, So. – 77th, 22:59.7 (PB)
Paige Haglund, So. – 81st, 23:03.8 (PB)
Brynn Miller, So. – 89th, 24:00.5 (PB)
Maggie Jortberg, Jr. – 90th, 24:05.0
MEN’S 8K – 5th Place – 173 Points
Dylan Riniker, So. – 27th, 24:27.1
Nick Parrell, Sr. – 32nd, 24:33.5 (PB)
Logan Goodman, Sr. – 40th, 25:04.6
Will Allen, Gr. – 44th, 25:12.5
Edgar Valles, Jr. – 58th, 25:47.3
Nick Ahlheim, Fr. – 63rd, 26:02.5
Ethan Aidoo, Jr. – 70th, 26:29.1
Patrick Clune, So. – 71st, 26:32.7
Max Borgmeier, So. – 73rd, 26:48.9
UP NEXT
The Golden Eagles continue their championship season on Friday, Nov. 13 at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships in Lansing, Mich.
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