Denison University

Men’s Cross Country Slated Second, Women’s Fourth in NCAC Cross Country Pre-Championship Poll

10/26/2026 11:16:00 AM

Cleveland, Ohio - The Denison cross country teams are gearing up for the 2026 NCAC Championships, with both squads landing in the top four in the voting. The men's team was voted second with 67 points and one first-place vote, while the women's team sits at fourth with 41 points. John Carroll earned first in both polls, claiming 80 points in the men's and 61 in the women's.

Men's

Sophomore Will Jackson is the only returning All-NCAC performer from last season, and looks to make a big impact once again for the Big Red. Jackson recorded a personal best of 25:30.3 at the All-Ohio Inter-Collegiate Classic, ranking the best on the squad and fourth in the conference.

Two first-years, Aaron Escalante and Jack Blemker, have risen to the occasion in their rookie season. Escalante recorded his best run of the season at the All-Ohio Inter-Collegiate Classic (26:08.6), while Blemker ran in a time of 25:59.9.

Senior captain Leo Wisnefski (26:22.4) and William Fontana (27:08.1) round out the top-five best times for the Big Red. Another first-year in the mix, Olma Mathewos, has impressed in his rookie campaign, posting his best run of 27:18.2 at the All-Ohio Inter-Collegiate.

The Big Red men's team has posted 16 personal bests this season out of the 23 athletes. Denison's top-seven times all rank in the top-50 in the conference, with four coming in the top-20. Last season, the Big Red finished sixth in the NCAC Championships.

Women's

Clocking in the best time for the women's team is sophomore Shaylee Murdough, who ran a personal best time of 22:39.5 in their last penultimate meet at the Oberlin Inter-Regional Rumble. That time ranks 11th in the conference heading into championship weekend.

First-year Maggie Jewell has impressed, ranking second on the team and 16th in the conference with her personal best time of 22:53.7. Sophomore Hanna Hack (23:44.0, personal best) and senior Fiona Martinelli (23:49.3, personal best) have ramped up the production for the Big Red.

Junior Floralysse Biteau (24:02.1) and first-year Emily Harrington (24:08.7) both captured season bests heading into championship weekend.

Out of the 19 athletes, 12 have earned personal bests, and seven rank in the top-50 best times in the conference, with two marks in the top-20. Last season, the Big Red finished sixth at the NCAC Championships, with Martinelli leading the pack with a time of 23:52.9 and finishing 26th. The Big Red are currently ranked 10th in the Great Lakes regional poll by USTFCCA.

The races will take place at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, on Saturday, October 31. The women will run the 6k at 11 am, while the men will follow directly after at 12 pm for the 8k. The awards ceremony will take place at 1 pm.

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