BROCKPORT, NY – The University of Rochester men's cross country team ended in fifth place to open the 2026 season, running at the SUNY Brockport Tom Balon Invitational at Sweden Town Park on Saturday afternoon.
 
Overall, UR scored 132 team points in the event, placing fifth among the ten teams. Brockport's Alumni team was first overall with 33 points, followed by RIT with 48. The Brockport college team was third (67 points) followed by Buffalo State (124 points).
 
Leading the Yellowjacket lineup was senior Gus Smith who crossed the finish line with a time of 16:34.8 over the 5-kilometer course. He was 12th overall in the field of 136 runners. Sophomore Will Straub also secured a top-25 finish with his time of 17:01.5, ending 25th overall.
 
Straub finished one spot ahead of first-year Maverick Kentz, with the rookie clocking in at 17:04.3.
 
Owen Bernstein was 37th overall, crossing the finish line in 17:17.1, with first-year John Wiest ending up 40th in 17:20.7 to close out the 'Jacket scoring runners.
 
The remaining Yellowjacket runners in the race were sophomore Jack Bunaes in 46th (17:31.9), sophomore Anthony Cardoso in 64th (17:59.0) and first-year Jackson Welch in 67th (18:00.4).
 
UR's next event is its lone home meet of the year, with the team hosting the annual Yellowjacket Invitational on September 19 at Genesee Valley Park.