McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The Linfield cross country teams opened their 2026 season Friday evening on their home course at Joe Dancer Park, competing in the Linfield Harrier Classic. The Wildcat men placed eighth in the 6,000-meter race with 233 points, while the women finished 11th in the 4,000-meter event with 273 points. Each squad was led by returners who marked personal-best finishes with quality times from first-year Wildcats.

"It was a good first meet of the season. We have a lot of new athletes on the team and they really stepped up. It was fun to see full squads on both sides. We are going to continue to work hard and get better as the season progresses." Said head coach Chris McIsaac following the meet.

Marco Stroman paced the Linfield men, finishing 29th overall in 19:14.1. For Stroman, Friday's time marked a new personal-best in the 6K.

Freshman Teagan Randles followed in 43rd place with a time of 19:39.8, while CJ Brindeiro crossed the line 57th in 20:13.1. 

Vincent Andrews finished in 21:19.2 to place 107th, followed by Finley Wodke in 119th at 21:29.7. Logan Marquart recorded a time of 22:37.6 in 137th place, and Joseph Nelson rounded out Linfield's seven-man group in 157th with a time of 27:03.7. 

The men's squad finished in eighth of 13 teams in the meet, finishing just behind Evergreen State and well ahead of Northwest Conference rival Willamette who placed 12^th.

Senior Mia McCormack led the Wildcat women, placing 34th overall in 15:01.9. Friday's race was her best since becoming a Wildcat a year ago, and one of the fastest 4,000-meter times in program history.

Jayden Taylor was Linfield's next finisher in 98th with a time of 16:32.0, followed by Saniyah Ayala in 108th at 16:56.0 and Jasmine Solso in 112th at 17:05.4. Mya Budzik crossed the line 122nd in 17:31.3, with Isabella Manges finishing 131st in 18:02.6. 

"I was really excited for how our returners performed today. Marco, CJ, and Finley had very strong performances on the Men's side. Marcus finished as the number three NWC finisher on the day. On the Women's side, Mia stepped up and had her best performance as a Wildcat. Her time was one of the fastest 4k times in school history." Said McIsaac.

Kara Regan finished 141st in 19:02.9, Brenna Gamache followed in 144th with a time of 19:25.7, and senior Liberty McElfatrick completed Linfield's 10-runner lineup in 145th at 19:48.3.

"Today was an important day for the team. It became clear that this year we are able to get into the mix and be competitive. Everyone has the feeling that things will only go up from here." Said assistant coach Katie Higinbotham.

Portland claimed the team title on the men's side, while also boasting the individual medalist in Adam Lippe who finished in 17:51.4, just ahead of his teammate.

Oregon State ran away with the team title, claiming the seven-fastest finishers in the race to cruise to the team title.

Linfield cross country returns to action in one week, heading to Monmouth, Oregon, to compete in the Ash Creek Invite hosted by Western Oregon at the Ash Creek Preserve at 5 p.m.

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