Wisconsin Cross Country Teams Competed in Indiana
The Badgers finished ninth and 16th at the John McNichols Invite held in Terre Haute.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Track & Field
The Wisconsin men’s cross country team placed ninth while the women’s team finished 16th at the John McNichols Invite in Terre Haute, Indiana. The men competed in an 8k race and the women ran a 6k course.
Why it matters
Participating in this event allowed the Badgers to gain experience on the same course that will host the national championships in November.
The Wisconsin women's team placed 16th out of 28 teams on the 6k course, while the men's team took ninth in the 8k event. Johnny Livingstone led the men with a 23:59.4 finish, and Emmerson Drobac paced the women at 21:29.6.
The players
Wisconsin Men’s Cross Country Team
This is a collegiate athletics team representing the University of Wisconsin-Madison in distance running.
Wisconsin Women’s Cross Country Team
This is a collegiate athletics team representing the University of Wisconsin-Madison in distance running.
Johnny Livingstone
He is a runner for the Wisconsin men's cross country team who finished 11th in the 8k race.
Emmerson Drobac
She is a runner for the Wisconsin women's cross country team who finished 69th in the 6k race.
The details
Brigham Young University claimed the men’s team title, while Northern Arizona University won the women’s team competition. Wisconsin runners Mikaela Helling and Olivia Phillips also participated for the women, finishing with times of 21:34.6 and 21:37.6 respectively.
Timeline
The John McNichols Invite occurred on Sep. 19.
The team will compete in the Sean Earl Lakefront Invitational on Sep. 25.
Wisconsin will host the Nuttycombe Invitational in October.
The nationals meet will occur on Nov. 21.
Season Trajectory
This early-season performance serves as a vital benchmark for the Badgers as they refine their rotation ahead of championship season. The results help the coaching staff evaluate depth and conditioning before the team hosts the high-stakes Nuttycombe Invitational.
The 11th-place finish by Johnny Livingstone establishes him as a primary scorer for the team moving forward. Conversely, the women's 16th-place result highlights a need for improved grouping to climb the standings in future invitationals.
The takeaway
Gaining familiarity with major competition courses provides a tactical advantage for runners during the championship season. Maintaining consistent pacing across these early races is essential for securing a higher team rank at future events.
Further reading
For more news and updates, visit the Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by UW-Madison Police Department actively investigating three sexual assault cases - The Daily Cardinal.
