The 2026 season is underway for CSCS Cross Country, and the Lions are already showing plenty of reasons to be encouraged about what lies ahead.
Six Lions competed this weekend, turning in strong individual performances, multiple personal records and an impressive team finish as CSCS continues to build momentum early in the season.
Lions Make Their Mark
Brooklyn Minihane led the way for the girls with an outstanding 5th-place finish, continuing to establish herself as one of the Lions’ top distance runners.
On the boys side, Chase Minihane finished 9th overall, while Ture Riker crossed the line in 15th.
But some of the biggest victories of the weekend came against the clock.
Jake Ubben, Ture Riker and Zach Coates each recorded significant personal records, an encouraging sign that the work being done in practice is already producing results.
The boys finished 4th out of seven teams, and that result becomes even more encouraging when considering the depth of the Lions’ lineup. CSCS’s fifth scoring runner was actually a JV runner, stepping up to contribute to the varsity team score.
For an early-season race, there is a lot to build on.
More Than the Finish Line
Cross country has a unique way of revealing preparation.
There are no shortcuts to becoming a better runner. Progress is built through early mornings, long runs, difficult workouts and the willingness to keep going when things get uncomfortable.
That makes every personal record worth celebrating.
A PR represents more than a faster number on a clock. It represents growth.
For CSCS Athletics, that pursuit of growth is part of something bigger.
Our vision is Christ Be Magnified Through Excellence in Athletics, and cross country provides countless opportunities to live that out.
It means preparing with purpose. Competing with courage. Encouraging teammates. Responding well when a race becomes difficult. And representing Christ and CSCS well wherever the course takes us.
Running Together
Cross country may measure athletes individually, but it is very much a team sport.
Every runner matters.
Every place matters.
Every athlete has an opportunity to help the team move forward.
This weekend was a great example. From top finishes to new personal records to a JV runner contributing to the varsity team score, the Lions competed together.
That is the Heart of a Lion.
Christ-Centered. Character. Community. Competent. Compete.
The goal is not simply to become faster runners. It is to develop young men and women who understand discipline, perseverance, humility, toughness and what it means to compete for something bigger than themselves.
Just the Beginning
A fifth-place finish. A ninth-place finish. A 15th-place finish. Three big personal records. A fourth-place boys team finish.
That’s a good weekend.
More importantly, it’s a good starting point.
There are plenty of miles still ahead for the Lions in 2026, and that’s the exciting part. This team doesn’t need to be at its best yet.
They simply need to keep getting better.
One workout. One hill. One mile. One race at a time.
Keep going.
Run together. Finish strong. Leave the course better than you found it.
Christ Be Magnified Through Excellence in Athletics.
Go Lions!