Friday, September 11
Pomme de Terre Golf Club • Morris, Minn.
6 p.m.
St. Cloud State
at
Cougar Twilight
Photo by: Celest Stang
St. Cloud State Men’s Cross Country Set for First Meet Since 2015
9/10/2026 4:42:00 PM | Men's Cross Country
Huskies season-opening 6k race scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday in Morris
ST. CLOUD, Minn. – St. Cloud State Men's Country will compete for the first time since 2015 when it travels to Morris on Friday for the Cougar Twilight, hosted by Minnesota Morris at Pomme de Terre Golf Club. The 6,000-meter race is slated to begin at 6 p.m.
FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
Live results will be provided by Hero's Timing.
TEAMS AT THE MEET
Minnesota Morris, North Central, Northwestern, St. Cloud State, Wis.-Superior
SEASON PREVIEW
St. Cloud State Men's Country was selected to finish 15th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches' Polls, as announced by the league office on August 19. Additionally, senior Chris Kirenga was named the Huskies preseason 'Athletes to Watch' by the NSIC. The team is making its return to competition for the first time since 2015 this fall.
"The men's cross country team returns to competition this fall for the first time in more than a decade, marking an exciting new chapter for the program," said fourth-year head coach Gabrielle Brown. "The Huskies are excited to welcome their new team and new coach."
Kirenga looks to lead the program in its return to the course in 2026.
"Chris has quickly embraced the challenge and is ready to make an impact in his senior year," said Brown. "With a strong work ethic, steady improvement, and determination to compete, he's an athlete to watch as he continues to grow and contribute to the team's success this fall."
NSIC RELEASE | 2026 SCHEDULE
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY HISTORY @ SCSU
Before returning in 2026, men's cross country was previously sponsored at SCSU for 52 seasons from 1964-2015 and enjoyed a dominate stretch in its first two-plus decades. The Huskies won 11 conference titles and earned national runner-up finishes at the 1967 NAIA National Championships and the 1983 NCAA Division-II National Championships. The second-place finishes were the school's top national championship finishes until the wrestling team won its first national title in 2015. Individually, SCSU had 11 runners achieve All-American status a total of 22 times across NAIA and NCAA competition with Van Nelson (1965, 1966, 1967) and Kurt Threinen (1982) earning the highest individual finishes at third overall. Additionally, eight Huskies won 14 individual conference championships, including most recently Nick Hirsch capturing the 2004 NCC title.
MEN'S PROGRAM RETURN ANNOUNCEMENT
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Cross Country, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
Live results will be provided by Hero's Timing.
TEAMS AT THE MEET
Minnesota Morris, North Central, Northwestern, St. Cloud State, Wis.-Superior
SEASON PREVIEW
St. Cloud State Men's Country was selected to finish 15th in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches' Polls, as announced by the league office on August 19. Additionally, senior Chris Kirenga was named the Huskies preseason 'Athletes to Watch' by the NSIC. The team is making its return to competition for the first time since 2015 this fall.
"The men's cross country team returns to competition this fall for the first time in more than a decade, marking an exciting new chapter for the program," said fourth-year head coach Gabrielle Brown. "The Huskies are excited to welcome their new team and new coach."
Kirenga looks to lead the program in its return to the course in 2026.
"Chris has quickly embraced the challenge and is ready to make an impact in his senior year," said Brown. "With a strong work ethic, steady improvement, and determination to compete, he's an athlete to watch as he continues to grow and contribute to the team's success this fall."
NSIC RELEASE | 2026 SCHEDULE
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY HISTORY @ SCSU
Before returning in 2026, men's cross country was previously sponsored at SCSU for 52 seasons from 1964-2015 and enjoyed a dominate stretch in its first two-plus decades. The Huskies won 11 conference titles and earned national runner-up finishes at the 1967 NAIA National Championships and the 1983 NCAA Division-II National Championships. The second-place finishes were the school's top national championship finishes until the wrestling team won its first national title in 2015. Individually, SCSU had 11 runners achieve All-American status a total of 22 times across NAIA and NCAA competition with Van Nelson (1965, 1966, 1967) and Kurt Threinen (1982) earning the highest individual finishes at third overall. Additionally, eight Huskies won 14 individual conference championships, including most recently Nick Hirsch capturing the 2004 NCC title.
MEN'S PROGRAM RETURN ANNOUNCEMENT
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Cross Country, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
Thursday, August 20
Wednesday, August 05
Monday, August 03
Wednesday, July 01
