Cross Country Opens 2026 Campaign at TCU

Friday, September 4

Fort Worth, TX

7:30 AM (W) / 8:00 AM (M)

University of North Texas

John McKenzie Invitational

9/3/2026 9:48:00 AM | Track & Field/XC

Live Results

Mean Green set for first competition under Head Coach Jafet Molinares

DENTON, Texas – UNT cross country begins the 2026 season Friday at the John McKenzie Invitational hosted by TCU at the AP Ranch Championship Cross Country Course in Fort Worth.

The season opener will mark the first cross country competition at UNT for Head Coach Jafet Molinares, who joined the Mean Green staff in January after a successful stint at Hutchinson Community College.

The Mean Green women return several key contributors from last season, led by Aditi Silwal, who was UNT's top finisher at both the American Conference Championship and NCAA South Central Regional. Aubrey Milam returns for her sophomore campaign after earning American Conference All-Freshman Team honors in 2025, while Ella Bengtsson also returns after setting a personal best in the 5K last fall.

On the men's side, Joseph Wienen and Nolan House return after leading the Mean Green throughout the 2025 season. Wienen was UNT's top finisher at both the American Conference Championship and NCAA South Central Regional, with House finishing second among UNT runners at both meets.

Several newcomers are also set to make their Mean Green cross country debuts Friday. The women's newcomers include freshmen Emily Bartek, Claire DeFoy, LaMya Jordan, Measha Rhinehart and Ava Thompson, along with transfers Treasure Bethea and Mikyah McDonald. On the men's side, freshmen Maddox Davis and Griffin Vallarino join transfer AJ Hawkins as newcomers to the UNT program.

Both teams will compete in a 5K Friday morning. The women's race will begin at 7:30 a.m. CT, followed by the men's race at 8 a.m. CT.