The University of Kentucky cross country teams opened their 2026 season on September 11 at the Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville, posting solid results that set the tone for the team's championship aspirations.

The Wildcats women's team claimed second place with 40 points in the 3-mile race, led by a dominant one-two finish. Ann Lemirisho won the race with a time of 15:54.7, while teammate Doricah Minsari Isoe followed closely in second place with 15:56.8. Lyric Olson, Madelyn McCartney and Addyson Leigh Abner rounded out the scoring for the women.

The men's squad placed third with 48 points in the 4-mile race. Collins Kipngok finished second overall with a time of 19:14.45, with senior Ed Bird placing third at 19:16.14. Lincoln Herald, JT Hayes Jr. and Eyan Turk completed the team's top five finishers.

"We saw a lot of positives today, along with a few areas we will improve over the next eight weeks," said coach Tito Medrano. "Ann Lemirisho did an outstanding job, finishing alongside her teammate Doricah Isoe as they went 1–2 and helped our women nearly win the meet."

Medrano, in his second season with the Wildcats, led Kentucky runners to strong finishes in his inaugural 2025 campaign, with Bird and Kipngok earning NCAA Championships qualification and the team posting an eighth-place finish at the NCAA Southeast Regional. The coach brings nine seasons of collegiate coaching experience and has won 12 conference championship titles across his career.

The Kentucky cross country program competes next at the Cans Creek Classic in Columbia, Missouri on September 25. The season will culminate with the NCAA Championships on November 21 in Terre Haute, Indiana.