EL DORADO, Kan. - The Fort Hays State women's cross country team opened the 2026 season with a first-place finish at the Ollie Isom Invitational on Friday (Sept. 11). The Tigers collected just 20 team points from their top five finishers, finishing 45 points ahead of second-place Fort Hays Tech Northwest. FHSU placed four runners in the top five, eight in the top 10 and all 11 FHSU competitors in the top 14.
 
Junior Emma Weiner led the way for the Tigers with a second-place finish, completing the five-kilometer course in 19:19.5. Keziah Bachman followed closely in third place out of 75 finishers with a time of 19:25.5, while Janae Fugitt finished fourth after clocking a time of 19:31.7.
 
Margaret Browning continued the strong showing for the Tigers, placing fifth with a time of 19:34.0. Esther Clark-Pavlovich followed in sixth place after finishing in 19:39.2, while Madelyn Russell placed seventh with a time of 19:47.3.
 
Madelynn Nichols finished ninth after crossing the line in 19:54.2, with  Jacee Deges rounded out the top 10 with a time of 19:59.7 in her Tiger debut. Senior Brenna Murphy placed 11th with a time of 20:00.3, followed by Elsie Rickstrew in 12th at 20:09.7. Cate Wiese rounded out the Tiger competitors, placing 14th with a time of 20:19.6.
 
The Tigers defeated conference opponent Emporia State, which finished fourth in the team standings.
 
Fort Hays State will return to action in two weeks (Sept. 25) when the Tigers travel to Columbia, Mo. for the Gans Creek Classic, hosted by the University of Missouri.
 
1st - Fort Hays State – 20 points
2nd - Emma Weiner - 19:19.5
3rd - Keziah Bachman - 19:25.5
4th - Janae Fugitt - 19:31.7
5th - Margaret Browning - 19:34.0
6th - Esther Clark-Pavlovich - 19:39.2
7th - Madelyn Russell - 19:47.3
9th - Madelynn Nichols - 19:54.2
10th - Jacee Deges - 19:59.7
11th - Brenna Murphy - 20:00.3
12th - Elsie Rickstrew - 20:09.7
14th - Cate Wiese - 20:19.6