HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State men's cross country team finished sixth at the 2026 Tiger open with 126 points in the 8K at their home course.

Farrin Mangelson led the Tigers, placing 12th with a time of 25:05.4. Hayden Nemechek followed in 24th at 25:35.6, while Taran Castro finished 31st in 25:48.8.
Austin Ritsema placed 43rd with a time of 26:10.4, followed closely by Cole Krug in 44th at 26:10.9 to round out the Tigers' top five. Quade Smith finished 46th in 26:15.0, and Ty Raulston placed 50th with a time of 26:18.7.

Luke Wessel finished 72nd in 27:06.9, followed by Emery Wolfe in 76th at 27:13.2 and Broxton Gall in 82nd at 27:21.6. Kendrik Selensky placed 89th in 27:40.3, Brady Conway finished 90th in 27:44.1, and Kaiden Esfeld rounded out the Fort Hays State lineup in 108th at 28:55.7.

Letsepa Prince Mudame of Hutchinson Community College claimed the individual title at the 2026 FHSU Tiger Open, crossing the finish line in 24:11.1 in the men's 8K. Colorado School of Mines captured the team title with 48 points, placing five runners among the top 14 finishers.

The Tigers will return to action Saturday, Oct. 24, traveling to St. Joseph, Mo., for the MWSU Conference Preview. The women's 5k is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. with the men's 8k following at 10:45. 

Fort Hays State Men's Results (8K)
6th – Fort Hays State – 126 points
12th – Farrin Mangelson – 25:05.4
24th – Hayden Nemechek – 25:35.6
31st – Taran Castro – 25:48.8
43rd – Austin Ritsema – 26:10.4
44th – Cole Krug – 26:10.9
46th – Quade Smith – 26:15.0
50th – Ty Raulston – 26:18.7
72nd – Luke Wessel – 27:06.9
76th – Emery Wolfe – 27:13.2
82nd – Broxton Gall – 27:21.6
89th – Kendrik Selensky – 27:40.3
90th – Brady Conway – 27:44.1
108th – Kaiden Esfeld – 28:55.7