Results
BELOIT, Wis. – Grinnell College's men's cross country team earned its first Midwest Conference title since 2023 Saturday afternoon, easily outscoring runner-up Lawrence University at Beloit Country Club.
The Pioneers tallied 48 points, 12 in front of the Vikings in the 10-team meet. Luther College was third with 64.
The title was Grinnell's 35
th all-time and eighth since 2012.
Grinnell had seven runners collect All-MWC honors, its highest total since the 2017 season. Additionally, the Grinnell staff of head coach
Sarah Burnell and assistant
Andrew Nickeson was named the 2026 MWC Men's Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year. Burnell was also the MWC Men's Coach of the Year in 2023.
Jack Lakin '29 led the Pioneers' effort with a time of 25 minutes, 40 seconds over the 8-kilometer course. That was good for fifth place in the 151-runner field as he earned All-MWC honors for the second time in his career.
Ben Abelow '28 was next in line for the Pioneers, placing seventh in 25:52. Rounding out the Pioneers' scorers were
Leif Dahl '29 (10
th in 26:07),
Greyson Imm '28 (11
th in 26:07) and
Milo Flores '30 (15
th in 26:35). Abelow and Imm have each been All-MWC twice in their careers.
Other All-MWC performers for Grinnell were
Evan Whildin '30 (16
th in 26:38) and
Sebastian Manza '27 (17
th in 26:40).
Season-bests for Grinnell runners came from Whildin, Manza,
Sam Beck '27,
Aidan Michaelson '28,
Spencer Lyau '29,
Landy Zhou '30 and
Max Jedlicka '28.
The individual champ was Michel Heinrich of Luther College with a time of 25:06.
