Hawkeyes Open Season with Team Titles

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa cross country began its 2026 season by winning both the men’s and women’s team titles at the Hawkeye Invitational at Ashton Cross Country Course on Friday morning. 

The Iowa women opened the morning by placing first as a team in the 4,000-meters with 26 points, led by third-year Hillary Trainor. The men followed suit, placing first in the 6,000-meters race with 25 points and third-year Kyle Montgomery leading the way. 

Trainor placed first overall in the women’s race with a new personal best of 14:16.6. Fifth-year Miriam Sandeen finished right behind, placing second overall and clocking a time of 14:17.9, while third-year Elena Torres placed fifth (14:34.9). 

First-years Avery Rump (14:38.4) and Noella Ross (14:43.4) completed scoring for the Hawkeye women, placing eighth and tenth, respectively. 

On the men’s side, Montgomery placed second overall in 18:36.6. He was followed by fourth-year Miles Wilson, who placed third overall with a time of 18:41.7. Second-year Elias Arbuckle finished sixth (18:57.8).

Rounding out scoring for the Hawkeye men were first-years Slader Buckheister (19:00.0) and Aaron Yarbro (19:05.2). Both finished inside the top ten, placing eighth and ninth, respectively. 

The newcomers stood out in their first collegiate races with the Hawkeyes, as Rump, Ross, Suckheister and Yarbo all contributed to scoring and placing in the top ten of their respective races. 

HEAR FROM COACH HASENBANK
“Conditions were very, very difficult, even if we held on and did this in the evening, it probably was going to be very similar in the afternoon. It got really hot fast with the humidity. We're just glad everybody's healthy and across the line, because it's very difficult to run in these conditions. 
You can run in them, but you can't really race in them. You have to pull it back and temper the effort a little bit, and try to get everybody across the line healthy, and train and get ready for the meet in two weeks.

I was really excited for Hillary, I knew she was going to have a great summer. 
We had a few things that she was going to work on specifically, and she owned it, and got out there and did everything. She’s going to have a great season. Miriam's very healthy and had a great race, and a couple of young runners are going to have to come along. Today is just to get this thing kicked off and see where we're at, and it sort of gives me an evaluation, because the conditions are not exactly what we'd like to see.

On the men's side, I was pleased. Obviously, Kyle and Miles are going to be good leaders for us. Eli's super tough and a heck of a competitor. I like the way two of the freshmen, Aaron Yarbro and Slader Buckheister were patient and brought themselves around on the second lap really well. Those guys are super talented, and so we're excited for them. Will got a little aggressive on the first lap, but he hasn't raced a lot recently, so he hadn’t been on the course for a while. Running on grass, it's a little bit tougher than running on the track, and so, it's learning from that, and moving forward.”

Up Next: Iowa travels to Ames for the Iowa State Invitational on Friday, Sept. 18.

HAWKEYE RESULTS
Women’s 4,000 Meters
1st Place – 26 Points
1. Hillary Trainor - 14:16.6, PR
2. Miriam Sandeen - 14:17.9
5. Elena Torres - 14:34.9
8. Avery Rump - 14:38.4
10. Noella Ross - 14:43.4
11. Julia Gehl - 14:54.1
17. Clare Kelly - 15:34.2

Men’s 6,000 Meters
1st Place – 25 Points
2. Kyle Montgomery - 18:36.6
3. Miles Wilson - 18:41.7
6. Elias Arbuckle - 18:57.8
8. Slader Buckheister - 19:00.0
9. Aaron Yarbro - 19:05.2
11. Will Ryan - 19:15.1
12. Reed Robbins - 19:26.8
14. Spencer Alf - 19:34.5