SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Southwest Minnesota State University men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2026 season on Friday night competing at the Augustana Twilight at Yankton Trail Park.
 
The SMSU women's team finished 23^rd out of 28 teams with 700 points, while the men's team placed 21^st overall out of 33 teams with 599 points. The University of South Dakota won the women's meet, while South Dakota State University captured the men's title.

The meet was delayed several times due to excessive heat in Sioux Falls.  
 
In the women's 5K race, Anneka Sedelmyer led the Mustangs with a 187^th place finish out of 349 athletes hitting the finish line at 20:56. Kylee Mumm finished with a time of 21:00 to place 196^th, while Marissa Pabst closed with a time of 21:44 to finish in 242^nd place. Brooke Wetterstrom ran 22:06 to earn 261^st, with Alicia Blesi closing with a time of 22:55 to finish 289^th.
 
Kirsten Koopal ran 22:59 to finish 291^st, Kaitlin Olson placed 301^st at 23:12, Audrey Berube finished at 23:17 to finish 304^th, while Lila Bungarden ran 26:35.
 
Matthew Groebner was the highest finisher for the men's team in the 5K race crossing the line at 16:14 to place 98^th out of nearly 500 athletes. Carter Schwalbe finished 150^th with a time of 16:39, with Owen Greisen running 16:54 to finish 189^th. Elliott Hoffman closed in 238^th place with a time of 17:10, followed by Lucas Barreto in 299^th at 17:30 and Ben Byers running 17:37 to finish 314^th. Dylan DeWitt crossed the line at 18:11 to place 379^th with Elias Jensen finishing with a time of 20:15.
 
SMSU returns to action on Friday, Sept. 25, return once to Yankton Trails Park to compete at the Augustana Invitational