Weber State University Athletics
Wildcats Open Season With Second Place Finish at Utah State
9/6/2026 12:27:00 AM | Women's Cross Country
Saga Hagelin leads Weber State as six Wildcats finish in the top 20
LOGAN, Utah — The Weber State women's cross country team opened its 2026 season with a strong showing Saturday, placing second at the Utah State Alumni Challenge with a team score of 47 points.
The Wildcats' depth was on full display throughout the 5K, with six Weber State runners finishing inside the top 20.
Saga Hagelin led the way for Weber State, finishing seventh overall with a time of 18:25.0 and an average mile pace of 5:55.8. Hailey Day followed closely behind in ninth, crossing the finish line in 18:33.3.
Frances Hudson finished just one-tenth of a second behind Day, taking 10th overall with a time of 18:33.4. Melanie Anderson continued the Wildcats' strong pack, finishing 12th in 18:40, while Elin Hagelin rounded out Weber State's top five with a 13th place finish in 18:48.
Lauren Thornley, Charlotte Wilkinson and Hannah Bailey also finished inside the top 20, recording times of 18:48, 18:55 and 18:59, respectively.
As a team, Weber State recorded a total time of 1:33:01, averaging 18:36 per runner.
"I'm proud of the girls," head coach Anderson said. "Always more work to do, but a solid start!"
The second-place finish gives the Wildcats a strong start to the 2026 season as they continue building toward the Big Sky Championships later this fall.
Weber State will return to competition Sept. 19 at the Indiana State John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana.
The Wildcats' depth was on full display throughout the 5K, with six Weber State runners finishing inside the top 20.
Saga Hagelin led the way for Weber State, finishing seventh overall with a time of 18:25.0 and an average mile pace of 5:55.8. Hailey Day followed closely behind in ninth, crossing the finish line in 18:33.3.
Frances Hudson finished just one-tenth of a second behind Day, taking 10th overall with a time of 18:33.4. Melanie Anderson continued the Wildcats' strong pack, finishing 12th in 18:40, while Elin Hagelin rounded out Weber State's top five with a 13th place finish in 18:48.
Lauren Thornley, Charlotte Wilkinson and Hannah Bailey also finished inside the top 20, recording times of 18:48, 18:55 and 18:59, respectively.
As a team, Weber State recorded a total time of 1:33:01, averaging 18:36 per runner.
"I'm proud of the girls," head coach Anderson said. "Always more work to do, but a solid start!"
The second-place finish gives the Wildcats a strong start to the 2026 season as they continue building toward the Big Sky Championships later this fall.
Weber State will return to competition Sept. 19 at the Indiana State John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
Saturday, August 29
Wednesday, August 26
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, July 29