The University of Minnesota Duluth cross country teams opened up the 2026 season on a high note at the River Town Invitational at Prescott High School in Prescott, Wis. on Friday night.

The women took home the team title behind an overall win in freshman Taylor Sylla's Bulldog debut with a time of 23:48.2, followed by sophomore Lillian L'Esperance's second place finish in 24:02.7. Senior Ellie Hanowski finished in fifth overall with an effort of 24:13.6, while a pair of freshman rounded out UMD's top-five scorers: Danice Kendrick in ninth (25:06.4) and Kyra Rohrbach in 11th (25:28.)

On the men's side, sophomore Isaac Dickenson started the season right off where he left his rookie year, earning a first place finish with a time of 26:46.6. Senior Noah Foster finished fifth overall in 27:13.7, while another senior Nolan Bakken, placed 18th (28:58.7. Junior Dylan Taggart was the Bulldogs fourth runner in 24th (29:25.0) and freshman Henry Mathiason rounded out the top-five in 25th with a time of 29:34.2.

UMD will compete next on Sept. 19 at the St. Olaf Invitational in Northfield, Minn.