UCLA Cross Country to Compete at Big Ten Championships

The Bruins head to Wisconsin this Friday to race against eighteen conference programs.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Running

UCLA Cross Country to Compete at Big Ten Championships

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The UCLA cross country team will race in the Big Ten Championships on October 31, 2026, at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course. This event marks the official start of the postseason for the Bruins.

Why it matters

The team aims to improve their competitive standing within the conference this year compared to previous seasons. Athletes are leveraging experience gained throughout the year to prepare for the championship.

The women's 6K race begins at 8:35 a.m., followed by the men's 8K at 9:35 a.m. The team previously placed 22nd in the men's and 27th in the women's standings at the Nuttycombe Invite.

The players

UCLA

The University of California, Los Angeles, is a public research university with an extensive athletic program competing in the Big Ten Conference.

Yosef Berhan

He is a runner on the UCLA cross country team who recently competed at the Saint Mary's Invitational.

Gretchen Yakaitis

She is a student-athlete on the UCLA cross country team who recorded a 20:38.5 finish at the Saint Mary's Invitational.

The details

Nine freshmen joined the roster for the 2026 season, contributing to a team looking for growth. Notable performances include Yosef Berhan finishing in 23:44.9 and Gretchen Yakaitis at 20:38.5 during the Saint Mary's Invitational.

The Saint Mary's Invitational took place on Sept. 18, 2026.
The Nuttycombe Invite took place on Oct. 9, 2026.
The Big Ten Championships take place on Oct. 31, 2026.

Season Trajectory

Participation in the Big Ten Championships represents the culmination of the regular season and serves as the primary gateway to subsequent national qualification rounds. Success at this meet is critical for the program to solidify its reputation within the conference hierarchy.

The Bruins look to improve upon their previous 22nd and 27th place finishes from the Nuttycombe Invite. Individual runners like Yosef Berhan and Gretchen Yakaitis will be closely watched to see if they can beat their prior invitational times on the course in Verona.

The takeaway

The Big Ten Championships provide a definitive test for the development of the nine freshmen on the 2026 roster. Fans should monitor the race results to gauge the program's progress against high-level conference competition.