DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College men's and women's cross country teams are set to begin their 2026 season with the Bob Schultz invite on Friday, Sept. 4 at the Dubuque Soccer Complex. The men race at 6:30 p.m., with the women starting at 7 p.m.

The Loras men have an opportunity to make program history this year by qualifying for their sixth consecutive NCAA Division III Championship. Of more than 400 participating Division III programs, fewer than 20 have made five or more consecutive national meets, putting the Duhawks among select company entering the fall.
Loras is coming off a 2025 season that saw the men finish second at the American Rivers Conference Championship, fourth at the Midwest Regional and 24th at the NCAA Championships.

Despite graduating four members of last year's top seven, the Duhawks return plenty of experience. Ryan McGrath returns after earning All-Region honors and competing at the NCAA Championships, while fellow national qualifiers Colby Cryer and Aiden Ruiz are also back. Cryer posted a 14:54.39 in the 5,000 meters during track season, the 17th-fastest time in program history, while Ruiz ran a 3:53.76 in the 1,500 meters to rank 10th all-time.

Max Lowe and Cameron Gotto add to the Duhawks' depth after running 5,000-meter times of 14:44.44 and 14:56.51, respectively. Freshmen Isaiah Engle and Brandon Rugg, both Illinois Class 3A state qualifiers, highlight the incoming class.

On the women's side, Loras returns five members of last season's top seven after finishing third at the A-R-C Championship and seventh at the Midwest Regional.
Leading the group is sophomore Keelee Leitzen, the defending A-R-C cross country champion, All-Region performer and NCAA qualifier. Leitzen finished 59th at the 2025 NCAA Championships before putting together a standout track season that included four All-America honors and top-three national finishes in both the indoor and outdoor 800 meters.

Ivy Glendening, Savannah Davis and Lily Molly return after each recording a 6,000-meter personal best under 23:30 last season. Taylor Hoger also enters the fall following a strong track season that included a 19:17.09 performance in the 5,000 meters.

Transfers Mika Fields and Mallori Jones join freshmen Aubrey Rivers and Liva Knowles as key newcomers who could provide immediate depth to the lineup.

While both teams have lofty possibilities entering the season, the Duhawks are focused less on results and more on the work required to achieve them.

"Our expectation is to go to the line confident and ready to be the best version of ourselves and be proud of what comes with that mindset,"  head coach Ethan Adlfinger said.

After their home race, the Duhawks with travel to Notre Dame for the Notre Dame Catholic Championship on Sept. 18, before heading to Northfield, Minn. for the Pre-National Cross-Country Championship on Oct. 3.