WINFIELD, Kan. — The Southwestern College men's cross-country team will return to competition Friday, Oct. 2, at the Tiger Ambush XC Open, hosted by Cowley Community College at the Kansas Veterans Home. The men's race is scheduled to begin at 9:45 a.m.
Southwestern enters its second meet of the 2026 season after opening the year at the Warrior XC Invitational on Sept. 18 at Sterling Country Club in Sterling, Kansas. The Builders placed third in the men's 8-kilometer team standings with 78 points, finishing behind Tabor and Sterling and ahead of Manhattan Christian. Southwestern's five scoring runners combined for a time of 3 hours, 7 minutes, 24 seconds, with an average time of 37:28.
Freshmen LeDaniel Harrison and Isaiah Jones led the way for Southwestern in the season opener. Harrison crossed the finish line in 32:07.9 to place 10th overall and ninth among scoring runners, averaging 6:27.8 per mile. Jones followed closely behind, finishing 12th overall in 32:34.8 with a 6:33.2 average mile.
Junior, Derek Ponce-Gonzales provided Southwestern with its third scoring performance, completing the 8K course in 35:20.7 to finish 15th overall. Freshmen Joshua Wessel and Sophomore Jacob Salas rounded out the Builders' scoring five with times of 39:18.4 and 48:02.8, respectively.
One of Southwestern's early strengths has been the front of its lineup. Harrison and Jones finished less than 27 seconds apart at the Warrior XC Invitational, giving the Builders two runners capable of working near one another throughout a race. Their ability to maintain that proximity can help Southwestern establish a strong front pack and limit the number of opposing runners separating its top finishers.
Ponce-Gonzales gives the Builders another experienced option behind the leading pair. With Harrison, Jones and Ponce-Gonzales all finishing among the top 15 overall at the season opener, Southwestern showed the potential to establish a competitive top three.
For the Builders, the next step will be tightening the gap between their front runners and the remainder of the scoring group. Cross-country team scoring rewards depth and pack running, making the fourth- and fifth-runner positions especially important. Improvement in those spots could help Southwestern lower its team score as the season progresses.
Friday's race also gives Southwestern another opportunity to gain experience over the 8K distance. The Tiger Ambush XC Open provides the Builders with a chance to continue developing their pacing, race management and consistency as they move deeper into the season.
Southwestern will look to build on its third-place performance at the Warrior XC Invitational when the Builders compete Friday at the Tiger Ambush XC Open.
