Weber State University Athletics
Photo by: Robert Casey
Wildcats Set to Open 2026 Cross Country Season at Utah State Alumni Challenge
9/4/2026 9:25:00 AM | Women's Cross Country, Men's Cross Country
Wildcats Set to Open 2026 Cross Country Season at Utah State Alumni Challenge
OGDEN, Utah — After months of preparation and training, the Weber State men's and women's cross country teams are ready to officially begin the 2026 season Saturday at the Utah State Alumni Challenge in Logan.
The Wildcats will return to the Steve and Dona Reeder Cross Country Course for their season opener, with the men's 7K scheduled for 9 a.m. and the women's 5K following at 9:45 a.m.
Saturday's meet gives Weber State an early opportunity to test its preparation and establish a foundation for the season ahead.
The Wildcats enter the meet with plenty of returning experience on both sides. On the men's team, senior Jake Peterson leads a group that returns after a strong 2025 campaign. Peterson earned All-Big Sky honors with an eighth-place finish at last year's conference championships and also set a course record at the Utah State Challenge.
Weber State will also look to sophomore Paul Scown to make an impact after a strong freshman season on the track. Coming off an impressive 2026 track and field campaign, Scown enters his second year with the Wildcats poised to play an important role for Weber State during the cross country season.
With a talented group of returners and emerging runners, the Wildcats are looking to build on the foundation established during the offseason.
"I'm really excited about this year's squad," Weber State head coach Corbin Talley said. "They have worked their tails off this summer and there's a strong unity and togetherness that I think will translate to some awesome cross country team performances."
The women's team will likewise rely on a combination of experienced returners and new faces. Frances Hudson returns after leading Weber State at the 2025 Utah State Alumni Challenge, where she finished fourth overall with a time of 18:10.6 in the 5K. Hannah Bailey and Melanie Anderson also return after setting 5K personal records during the 2025 season.
The Wildcats have already found success at this meet. Weber State's men's and women's teams both captured team titles at the 2025 Utah State Alumni Challenge, with the men's squad scoring 15 points and the women's team totaling 27 points.
While Saturday provides an opportunity to build on that success, the Wildcats will enter the meet focused on the 2026 season and the work still ahead.
With the first race of the season finally here, Weber State will look to start strong in Logan and carry its summer momentum into a schedule that includes several major tests before the Big Sky Championships on Oct. 30.
The Wildcats will return to competition Sept. 19 at the Indiana State John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana.
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OGDEN, Utah — After months of preparation and training, the Weber State men's and women's cross country teams are ready to officially begin the 2026 season Saturday at the Utah State Alumni Challenge in Logan.
The Wildcats will return to the Steve and Dona Reeder Cross Country Course for their season opener, with the men's 7K scheduled for 9 a.m. and the women's 5K following at 9:45 a.m.
Saturday's meet gives Weber State an early opportunity to test its preparation and establish a foundation for the season ahead.
The Wildcats enter the meet with plenty of returning experience on both sides. On the men's team, senior Jake Peterson leads a group that returns after a strong 2025 campaign. Peterson earned All-Big Sky honors with an eighth-place finish at last year's conference championships and also set a course record at the Utah State Challenge.
Weber State will also look to sophomore Paul Scown to make an impact after a strong freshman season on the track. Coming off an impressive 2026 track and field campaign, Scown enters his second year with the Wildcats poised to play an important role for Weber State during the cross country season.
With a talented group of returners and emerging runners, the Wildcats are looking to build on the foundation established during the offseason.
"I'm really excited about this year's squad," Weber State head coach Corbin Talley said. "They have worked their tails off this summer and there's a strong unity and togetherness that I think will translate to some awesome cross country team performances."
The women's team will likewise rely on a combination of experienced returners and new faces. Frances Hudson returns after leading Weber State at the 2025 Utah State Alumni Challenge, where she finished fourth overall with a time of 18:10.6 in the 5K. Hannah Bailey and Melanie Anderson also return after setting 5K personal records during the 2025 season.
The Wildcats have already found success at this meet. Weber State's men's and women's teams both captured team titles at the 2025 Utah State Alumni Challenge, with the men's squad scoring 15 points and the women's team totaling 27 points.
While Saturday provides an opportunity to build on that success, the Wildcats will enter the meet focused on the 2026 season and the work still ahead.
With the first race of the season finally here, Weber State will look to start strong in Logan and carry its summer momentum into a schedule that includes several major tests before the Big Sky Championships on Oct. 30.
The Wildcats will return to competition Sept. 19 at the Indiana State John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana.
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
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