Wisconsin Badgers
Badger Classic
Five things to know: No. 10 Wisconsin to host Badger Classic on Friday
September 02, 2026 | Men's Cross Country
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin men's cross country team will open its season on Friday with the Badger Classic. The women's 6K will begin at 10:00 a.m. and the men's 8K will run at 10:45 a.m.
Live results will be posted on PTTiming. Fans can also follow along for updates on the @BadgerTrackXC Instagram and X accounts.
1. COACH'S FIRST TIME OUT: For the first time since 2008, a new face will be leading the men's cross country team. Chris Solinsky, who graduated from Wisconsin in 2007, will be taking control of the program as he was named the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country in June. As an athlete with the Badgers from 2003-2007, Wisconsin never lost a Big Ten meet in either track or cross country, and Solinsky will look to continue this success as a coach.
2. BIG EXPECTATIONS: The Wisconsin men's cross country team opens the season ranked No. 1 in the USTFCCCA Great Lakes Regional Rankings and No. 10 in the USTFCCCA National Rankings. Last season, the Badger men finished third at the Great Lakes Regional and third at the Big Ten Championships.
3. RACING READY: The men's team benefits from a strong crew of experienced veterans, as they return their top six runners from the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Wisconsin will also welcome four freshmen to the roster: Grady Lenn, Paul Van Laningham, Reed Grotenhuis and Landon Franke.
4. FIRST OF MANY: The Badger Classic will be the first of three home meets for the cardinal and white in 2026. Wisconsin will also play host to the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational, presented by Under Armour, on Friday, Oct. 9 and the Big Ten Championships on Friday, Oct. 30. The last time Wisconsin hosted the Big Ten Championships was in 2023 when the men came away with the team victory, and Bob Liking secured the individual title.
5. UP NEXT: The Badgers will head out for a preview of the 2026 NCAA Cross Country Championship course at the John McNichols Invitational in Terre Haute, Indiana, on Saturday, Sept. 19.
