Marquette Cross Country Teams Place in Top Ten
The men finished fifth and the women took eighth at the Big East Championships held in Virginia.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Running
The Marquette University men's cross country team placed fifth with 173 points, marking their best finish since 2019. The women's team finished eighth with 268 points at the 2026 Big East Cross Country Championships.
Why it matters
The men's fifth-place performance demonstrates significant progress for the program, while the women's team showed individual growth as nearly every runner set a personal-best time.
The men's team finished in fifth place while the women's team placed eighth at the Big East Championships. Dylan Riniker clocked a time of 24:27.1 in the men's race, and Sadie Kibelstis finished in 22:10.4 for the women.
The players
Marquette University
A private Catholic research university located in Milwaukee that sponsors various Division I athletic programs.
Dylan Riniker
A Marquette runner who finished 27th overall in the Big East Championship men's race.
Sadie Kibelstis
A Marquette runner who placed 53rd in the women's 6k championship race.
The details
Competing at Pole Green Park, the women's team scoring runners achieved personal-best times on the 6k course. Both squads improved their standing throughout the duration of their respective races.
Timeline
The Big East Cross Country Championships occurred on October 30, 2026.
The men's team previously placed fourth in 2019.
The NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships are scheduled for November 13, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Following the conference meet, the teams now shift their focus to the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships. This upcoming competition will determine if the programs can extend their postseason participation beyond the conference level.
The women's team achieved their lowest point total since 2021, suggesting a positive trend in scoring consistency for the roster. This meet serves as the final preparation before the qualifying events for the national championship.
The takeaway
The strong showing at the Big East Championships highlights the current development of both the men's and women's squads. Athletes look to build on these personal-best times as they prepare for the intensity of the regional postseason.
What happens next
The Marquette cross country teams are scheduled to compete at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional Championships on November 13, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local athletic performances, visit the Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM | Green Bay, WI.
