WICHITA - Men's and Women's Country started the 2026 season from the comfort of their home city at Wichita State's JK Gold Classic. The 78th edition of the cross country event was run at the Clapp Cross Country Course. It was there that the women finished in 7th place led by Graduate Student Katie Hughes who paced the Jets to a second place individual finish. The men's squad was led by returning national qualifier Timothy Kiprotich who finished 13th in his effort Saturday morning.

Three Jets men runners took their mark in this year's race. The 6 kilometer race was run at 7:30 am to beat the scorching heat in Kansas. Timothy Kiprotich led the NU runners with a 19:33 time, good enough enough for the aforementioned 13th place finish. His counterparts, Logan Libel and Riley Roots recorded times of 20:49 and 21:36 that placed them 44th and 60th respectively.

The Women's team posted an overall finish of 7th place with 181 points in their 5 kilometer race that started after the conclusion of the men's race. Katie Hughes shined in her first race for Newman. Hughes posted a 17:41 time putting her second among a field of more than 70 runners. The second place finish was the best individual finish since Patricia Limo's win in September of 2023. The team placement is a one spot improvement from 2025's results.

Women's Results (7th)
2 - Katie Hughes 17:41
54 - Anna Lobmeyer 22:36
60 - Ilese Burroughs 23:51
61 - Teressa Martinez 23:55
62 - Lexi Wimberly 24:45
67 - Sandrina Reimers 27:27
69 - Ronnie Baird 27:29