Wisconsin Badgers
Badger Classic
Wisconsin men sweep Badger Classic
September 04, 2026 | Men's Cross Country
Lenn picks up victory in UW debut on Friday
MADISON, Wis. – The No. 10 Wisconsin men's cross country team started the season off in perfect fashion at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course for the Badger Classic on Friday.
UW scored 15 points to win its season-opening competition and first of three home meets in Madison.
Freshman Grady Lenn led the charge for the men, breaking away from the pack to win his first race as a Badger thanks to a time of 25 minutes, 11.4 seconds in the 8K competition. Sophomore Manny Putz was the other Badger to break the 26-minute barrier, finishing second in 25:40.0.
Sophomore Ryan Severson finished third (26:12.8) and senior Logan Measner was fourth (26:14.5), with freshman Paul Van Laningham finishing fifth, not far behind (26:19.7).
Senior Nick Gilles (26:34.7) and junior Joe Bregenzer (26:35.1) rounded out the sweep, placing sixth and seventh, respectively.
Up Next: The Badgers will head to Terre Haute, Indiana, for a preview of the NCAA Cross Country Championships course at the John McNichols Invite, hosted by Indiana State on Sept. 19.
Badger Classic
Friday, Sept. 4
Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course
Madison, Wis.
Men's 8K Race
Team Results
1. Wisconsin - 15
Individual Results
1. Grady Lenn - 25:11.4
2. Manny Putz - 25:40.0
3. Ryan Severson - 26:12.8
4. Logan Measner - 26:14.5
5. Paul Van Laningham - 26:19.7
6. Nick Gilles - 26:34.7
7. Joe Bregenzer - 26:35.1
