Notes: Bradley Pink Classic

THIS WEEK
Iowa cross country travels to Peoria, Illinois, on Friday for the Bradley Pink Classic. It will be the final race of the regular season. The men’s 8,000-meter race is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m., and the women’s 6,000 meters will follow at 2:15 at the Newman Golf Club. 

LAST TIME OUT
Fifth-year Miriam Sandeen led the women in the 6,000 meters, taking 76th with a season-best 21:02.6 at the Gans Creek Classic. She was joined by season-best times from third-years Elena Torres (21:17.0) and Hillary Trainor (21:17.9). Freshman Avery Rump crossed in 21:53.5, setting a personal best. Third-year Julia Gehl (21:55.4) and first-year Noella Ross (22:16.7) also posted new personal bests, as the women placed 25th with 599 points. For the men, third-year Kyle Montgomery finished 57th overall in the 8,000 meters with a personal record of 23:56.1. He was followed in the scoring by fourth-year Luke Knepp (24:27.9), fifth-year Will Ryan (24:35.8), first-year Slader Buckheister (24:44.3, PR), and second-year Elias Arbuckle (25:00.3). Additional personal bests came from underclassmen Reed Robbins (25:04.1), Owen Wolfe (25:05.6), Aaron Yarbro (25:11.1) and Spencer Alf (25:23.3), bringing the men to a 24th-place finish with 592 points.

EXPERIENCE IN PEORIA
Iowa returns to the Bradley Pink Classic for the first time since 2024. The men placed third that season, while the women came in 10th. Kyle Montgomery, Miles Wilson and Will Ryan have experience in this meet, with Wilson leading Hawkeye returners from 2024. Miriam Sandeen set a lifetime best in the 6,000 meters and led Iowa with a 21:05.6. Elena Torres and Hillary Trainor have also competed in Peoria during their careers.

WOMEN’S TOP RUNNERS
Third-year Hillary Trainor was selected for the 2026 Big Ten Runners to Watch list, and is off to a strong start, winning the 4K at the Hawkeye Invite with a personal best. Fifth-year Miriam Sandeen leads the way as the veteran of the group and led Iowa in the 6K at the Redbird Invite and Gans Creek Classic. Elena Torres finished first for Iowa in every race last season. She also ran multiple personal best times, ranking third all-time at Iowa and earning Big Ten Women’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week honors.

MEN’S TOP RUNNERS
Third-year Kyle Montgomery got off to a strong start, leading the Iowa men to a team title at the Hawkeye Invite. He also led Iowa at the Redbird Invite and Gans Creek Classic. Fourth-year Miles Wilson made his return to the course and turned in a nice performance in the opener, placing third overall. Wilson was Iowa’s second finisher in Normal. He was tabbed as Iowa’s B1G Runner to Watch heading into the season. Fourth-year Luke Knepp led the men’s group in three races last season. His performance in the 2025 Hawkeye Invite placed him second all-time at Iowa, also earning Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week later that year. Second-year Elias Arbuckle placed sixth in the 2025 Hawkeye Invite with a time of 18:09.0, ranking him fifth all-time at Iowa in his very first collegiate race. 

INSTANT IMPACT
On the men’s side, newcomers Slader Buckheister, Reed Robbins and Aaron Yarbro have impressed, with Buckheister and Yarbro providing scoring at the season-opening Hawkeye Invitational. Buckheister also scored at the Redbird Invite, finishing 11th overall. All three freshmen posted personal bests at the Gans Creek Classic. For the women, freshmen Avery Rump and Noella Ross added points in their first collegiate race, finishing fourth and fifth for the Hawkeyes. Most recently, both Rump and Ross secured new lifetime bests at the Gans Creek Classic. 

B1G RUNNERS TO WATCH
Runners Hillary Trainor and Miles Wilson were selected as the program’s Big Ten Cross Country Runners to Watch. Trainor has scored in 12 of 14 races throughout her career. She has finished among the top three Hawkeyes in the first three races, including leading Iowa in the Hawkeye Invite. Wilson was the top Hawkeye finisher at the Joe Piane Invite last season, running a season-best 24:01.6 (8,000 meters). He was also Iowa’s top finisher at both the 2024 B1G Championships and 2024 NCAA Midwest Regional. Wilson set personal records in both races.

LOCAL FOCUS
Of the 19 athletes on the Hawkeyes’ cross country team, 11 hail from the state of Iowa. Spencer Alf and Aaron Yarbro come to the Hawkeye State from Wisconsin. Two more Hawkeyes, Marissa Long and Miriam Sandeen, are Minnesota natives. Ella Magallan (Texas), Kyle Montgomery (Indiana) and Elena Torres (Colorado) represent their respective states in 2026.

LINK UP WITH THE HAWKEYES 
For an inside look at the Iowa cross country program, “like” The University of Iowa Cross Country and Track & Field Facebook page and follow the Hawkeyes on X (@IowaXC_TF) and Instagram (@iowaxctf). Follow live results at hawkeyesports.com/tracklive.

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes turn their attention to the postseason with the Big Ten Championships coming up on Oct. 30 in Madison, Wisconsin.