USC Places 19th at Highlander Invitational
The Trojans secured a 19th-place finish at the cross country meet held at UC Riverside.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Running
The USC cross country team took 19th place out of 20 teams during the Highlander Invitational at UC Riverside. The Trojans finished with a team score of 511.
Why it matters
The event served as a late-season test for the Trojans as they prepare for the upcoming Big Ten Championships. Four runners on the team achieved new personal records during the 6-kilometer race.
USC finished the 6-kilometer race with a cumulative team score of 511. Paige Unger and Emilia Gonzalez both recorded new personal best times in the competition.
The players
USC
The University of Southern California is a major research university that fields competitive athletic teams known as the Trojans.
Paige Unger
She is a member of the USC cross country team who set a new personal record during the meet.
Emilia Gonzalez
She is a USC cross country runner who achieved a personal best time at the Highlander Invitational.
Monique Stewart
She is a competitive runner for the USC cross country team.
Ivanka Malysheva
She is a student athlete representing the USC cross country program.
The details
Competing against 22 other schools, the USC team navigated the 6-kilometer course starting at 8:40 a.m. Paige Unger led the team performance with an 80th-place finish in 21:50.2, while Monique Stewart finished 128th in 22:30.3.
Timeline
The Highlander Invitational took place on October 17, 2026, at 8:40 a.m.
The Big Ten Championships are scheduled for Oct. 30, 2026, at 7:35 a.m.
Season Trajectory
This race serves as a final competitive measurement for the USC squad before they head to the Big Ten Conference championships. The team is looking to improve their standing after finishing near the bottom of the field at the Highlander Invitational.
USC finished ahead of CSU Northridge in the final team standings. The Trojans must prepare for a different field in Madison as they move toward the Big Ten Championships.
The takeaway
The team performance at the Highlander Invitational provides coaching staff with concrete data to adjust training cycles before the championship phase. Athletes who set personal records demonstrate the physical development necessary for longer-distance championship races.
What happens next
The Trojans will compete in the Big Ten Championships in Madison, Wisconsin, on Oct. 30, 2026, at 7:35 a.m.
Further reading
For more on collegiate athletic events, visit Running.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Trojan.
