Contact: Greta Norville, Assistant Director of Sports Communications and Marketing, norvilleg@midwestconference.org
 
BELOIT, Wisconsin – Grinnell College claimed the Midwest Conference (MWC) Men’s Cross Country Championship on Saturday afternoon at Beloit Country Club, earning its second conference title in four years.
 
The Pioneers finished with 48 team points to edge Lawrence University, who placed second with 60 points. Luther College finished third with 64 points, followed by Ripon College (96), Cornell College (103), Monmouth College (186), Lake Forest College (212), Illinois College (234), Knox College (266), and Beloit College (320).
 
Grinnell was led by Jack Lakin, who finished fifth overall in 25:40. Ben Abelow followed in seventh at 25:52, while Leif Dahl finished 10th in 26:07. Greyson Imm placed 11th in 26:07, and Milo Flores rounded out Grinnell’s scoring in 15th (25:14). Evan Whildin (16th, 26:38) and Sebastian Manza (17th, 26:40) also received All-Conference honors.
 
Lawrence was led by Nick Hansen, who finished fourth overall in 25:40. Zach Meyer placed ninth in 26:01, while three other Vikings were named All-Conference: Noah Zhang (13th, 26:19), Finn Lee (14th, 26:30) and Ryan Cassiday (20th, 26:47).
 
Luther placed two runners in the top three, with Michel Heinrich winning the individual conference championship in 25:06 and Adam Gray – who was named MWC Newcomer of the Year – finishing second in 25:11. Jacob Bruns also finished inside the top-10, crossing the tape in 26:00 to finish eighth.
 
Ripon boasted two All-Conference runners in Dylan Malmgren (sixth place - 25:41) and Drew Kaufmann (18th place - 26:41). Cornell’s Jacob Bach placed third in 26:35 and the Rams’ Isaac Morris finished 12th in 26:09.
 
Lake Forest’s Demos Manoukis was an All-Conference performer for the Foresters, clocking in at 26:41 for a 19th-place finish.
 
The Grinnell College coaching staff was named the 2026 MWC Men’s Cross Country Coaching Staff of the Year. The Pioneers are guided by head coach Sarah Burnell in her seventh season, along with assistant coach Andrew Nickeson.
Issac Morris of Cornell College was awarded the 2025 MWC Men’s Cross Country Elite 20 award for having the highest cumulative grade-point average among student-athletes competing in the championship.
The final team standings and the All-MWC Team recognizing the top 20 finishers are listed below.
 
2026 MWC Men’s Cross Country Team Scoring/Final Standings

1. Grinnell College - 48 points
2. Lawrence University - 60 points
3. Luther College - 64 points
4. Ripon College - 96 points
5. Cornell College - 103 points
6. Monmouth College - 186 points
7. Lake Forest College - 212 points
8. Illinois College - 234 points
9. Knox College - 266 points
10. Beloit College - 320 points

 
2026 MWC Men’s Cross Country All-Conference Team (Top-20 Finishers)

1. Michel Heinrich, Luther – 25:06
2. Adam Gray, Luther – 25:11 - Newcomer of the Year
3. Jacob Bach, Cornell – 25:14
4. Nick Hansen, Lawrence – 25:40
5. Jack Lakin, Grinnell – 25:40
6. Dylan Malmgren, Ripon – 25:41
7. Ben Abelow, Grinnell – 25:52
8. Jacob Bruns, Luther – 26:00
9. Zach Meyer, Lawrence – 26:01
10. Leif Dahl, Grinnell – 26:07
11. Greyson Imm, Grinnell – 26:07
12. Isaac Morris, Cornell – 26:09
13. Noah Zhang, Lawrence – 26:19
14. Finn Lee, Lawrence – 26:30
15. Milo Flores, Grinnell – 26:35
16. Evan Whildin, Grinnell – 26:38
17. Sebastian Manza, Grinnell – 26:40
18. Drew Kaufmann, Ripon – 26:41
19. Demos Manoukis, Lake Forest – 26:41
20.  Ryan Cassiday, Lawrence – 26:47

Purchase champion apparel here: https://midwestconferencemenscrosscountry.itemorder.com/