MADISON, Wis. (October 8, 2026) – Northern Arizona cross country will return to competition at the Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational on Oct. 9, with both the men's and women's teams set to compete against a strong field of nationally ranked programs.
The University of Wisconsin–Madison will host the invitational at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course. The women's 6K Championship race will begin at 10:30 a.m. CDT, followed by the men's 8K Championship at 11:10 a.m. CDT. The women's B Race will begin at 11:50 a.m. CDT, with the men's B Race following at 12:30 p.m. CDT. Northern Arizona will compete in all four races.
The women's team enters the meet ranked third nationally, while the men's team remains ranked 11th in the latest United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) national rankings. The women moved up one spot following their last competition, while the men remained at No. 11.
The No. 3 ranking marks the highest position for the Lumberjack women this season. Both teams will look to continue building momentum as they approach the championship portion of the season.
The women's championship race will feature six teams ranked in the USTFCCCA top 10, including New Mexico, Northern Arizona, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, West Virginia and Stanford. The men's championship race will also feature six top 10 programs, with New Mexico, Iowa State, Colorado, BYU, Wake Forest and Florida competing alongside the Lumberjacks.
On the women's side, returners Hayley Burns and Keira Moore will open up their season, alongside freshman Carmen Cernjul. Burns returns as an All-American from last cross country season, while Moore has been a key contributor to the Lumberjacks lineup at the previous two NCAA Championships. Cernjul, a freshman from Sweden, will make her first appearance for Northern Arizona.
On the men's side, Ford Washburn will return to competition after playing a key role in the Lumberjacks' lineup last season. Rheinhardt Harrison will make his first collegiate cross country start for Northern Arizona.
Wisconsin will host four races at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course, with the Lumberjacks competing in both the championship and B races.
The Wisconsin Nuttycombe Invitational will be NAU's final meet before the start of the championship season. The Lumberjacks will return home to Buffalo Park on Oct. 30 for the Big Sky Cross Country Championships, where both teams will look to compete for another conference title.
Live results will be available at this link, while the meet will be streamed through RunnerSpace.
Stay up to date with Northern Arizona cross country by following the Lumberjacks on X and Instagram.
