DEKALB, Ill. - The Milwaukee women's cross country program kicked off the 2026 season at the Huskie Classic on Friday evening, earning fourth place with 115 points. 

Of the five scorers at the North 40 Championship Course, four made their collegiate debut in the 5K race. Mariah Wondra clocked in at 19:43.63 to notch 17th place overall, followed by fellow freshman Avery Sommer, who completed the course in 20:11.68 to take 25th. 

"Mariah Wondra had a great start to her Panther career," head coach Andrew Basler said. "As you can see from our second through seventh place on the women's side, they ran controlled as a pack and progressed through the 5K together."

Janiyah Taylor tallied 27th, running her 5K in 20:19.74 to begin her second season in the black and gold. Grace Storjohann and Abbey Schultz rounded out the top-5 scorers on the women's side for the Panthers, finishing in 30th and 32nd, respectively. 

Returners Lauren Ripley, Rylan Oberg, Rohan Flanagan and Isabella Switalski each placed in the top-40 on Friday night. 

Madison Krueger and Morgan Dewey both made their collegiate debuts at the Huskie Classic as well. 

Milwaukee will return to competition Saturday, Sept. 12, to race in the Phoenix Open, hosted by Green Bay at the Shorewood Cross Country Course.