MILWAUKEE - The Milwaukee cross country program is back in action this weekend, as they are set to compete at the fifth annual Phoenix Open Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Shorewood Cross Country Course in Green Bay. 

The meet is slated to begin at 11:30 a.m. CT, as more information on the event can be found with the link, here. 

The Panthers opened their 2026 campaign at the Huskie Classic last weekend, hosted by NIU. The men's team, led by a fourth-place finish turned in by Cullen Boyle, earned second as a unit in the 6K race with 54 points. Boyle completed the course in 19:32.06 to pace Milwaukee. 

Zach Moss placed within the top-10 last Saturday, followed closely by Harper Fahey. Both runners turned in personal bests in the 6K as well. Talon Gamez and Alex Lopez-Saucedo rounded out the top-5 finishers for Milwaukee, who each placed within the top-20. 

The Milwaukee women's team earned fourth place with 115 points at last weekend's Huskie Classic, led by the likes of their newcomers. 

Four of the five scorers were freshmen on Friday night, as newcomer Mariah Wondra's 17th-place finish led the way for the Panthers. Within that group, Avery Sommer, Grace Storjohann and Abbey Schultz all finished in the top-35 in their collegiate debuts. Janiyah Taylor, in her second season at Milwaukee, was the third individual to cross the finish line for the Panthers to wrap up the scorers. 

Last year, the men earned fifth while the women placed sixth at the Phoneix Open. Will Whiteis and Alex Anewenter each put together quality performances in 2025 on the Shorewood Cross Country Course for the men. As for the women, Taylor finished 14th overall with a 6K time of 22:54.5. 

Milwaukee will enjoy a week off from competition after Saturday's race, as they get set for the Jim Allen Classic Friday, Sept. 25, hosted by Marquette. The Panthers will compete at Veterans Park on the shores of Lake Michigan in Milwaukee with races beginning at 1:00 p.m. CT.