DAYTON — University of Dayton cross country will open its 2026 season in Oxford, Ohio, Friday at the RedHawk Rumble, hosted by Miami University. This is the second straight year the Flyers start their season at Miami.
At last year's season opener in Oxford, junior Mia Gill and senior Bryn Hothem recorded personal bests, with Hothem earning a seventh-place finish in 18:00.28.
On the men's side, sophomores Kamden Kramer (11th), Alex Bendaña (12th), and Tyler Giunipero (15th) earned Top 15 finishes in their collegiate debuts at the 2025 RedHawk Rumble.
A total of 28 runners are expected to compete for the Flyers Friday, 12 men and 16 women will head to the start line. Nine freshmen will compete in their first collegiate cross country race. Ashlyn Chopra, Kailyn Houghton, Ashlynn Lindt, Olivia Smeck, and Panagiota Tzouloufis will make their collegiate debuts in the women's race. The men's competition features Luke Berkebile, Kyle Brown, Dawit Hailu, and Junior Lopez will make their Flyer debuts.
START TIMES
Men's 6K: 9:00 a.m.
Women's 5K: 9:40 a.m.
Dayton Cross Country ended last season with Top 10 finishes at the Atlantic 10 Championships for both the men (7th) and the women (8th).
Sophomore Kamden Kramer was named Most Outstanding Rookie after finishing as the first overall freshman across the line. He placed 23rd overall in 24:44.1. Sophomore Alex Bendaña earned All-Rookie honors at the A10 Championships, setting a personal record of 24:59.3 to finish 43rd overall and seventh among freshman.
Also returning for the Flyers is sophomore Addison Stephens, who earned All-Rookie honors after finishing 38th overall at the A10 Championships. Stephens was the fourth overall freshman, crossing the finish line in 22:08.1.
For more information on University of Dayton cross country, follow the Flyers on X (@UDWomensTF_XC) and Instagram (@ud_xctf).
