SASKATOON - The University of Manitoba Bisons continued their strong start to the 2026 cross country season on Saturday at the Dakota Classic in Saskatoon, highlighted by a men's team victory and a third-place finish by the women's team. 

The meet acknowledged Orange Shirt Day through special programming and each team donned orange uniforms to mark the significance of the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. 

At the meet, Manitoba's men's team took a significant step forward, capturing the team championship with 35 points, ahead of the Regina Cougars (38) and Saskatchewan Huskies (48).

Sophomore Luc Fillion led the way, finishing second overall in the men's 8K race in 26:24.16, just behind Regina's Ian Teichler.

Manitoba placed four runners in the top eight, with Jonah Leppelmann finishing fourth overall (27:08.79), Carson Kroeker came in seventh (27:36.94) and Luxton Dueck placed eighth (27:42.08). Draycen Ralph completed the scoring group in 16th place with a time of 28:14.39.

The women's team also delivered a strong performance, finishing third overall with 62 points behind the Alberta Pandas and Saskatchewan Huskies. 

After opening the season with a fourth-place individual finish at St. Olaf, Klassen once again paced the Bisons, placing second in the women's 8K race in 31:33.83. Sadie Maciura also turned in a top 10 result, crossing the line ninth overall in 32:38.69.

Manitoba's scoring lineup was rounded out by Veronika Kolesnichenko in 14th place, Frances Terichow Parrott in 23rd and Lola Young-Sneep in 25th.

The results continue an encouraging start to the season for a Bisons program that entered 2026 looking to build on an experienced core. Through the opening two meets of the campaign, Manitoba has already posted a men's team victory and multiple top-five team finishes against strong competition from across Western Canada and the United States.The team is back in action Oct. 10, when they travel to Vancouver, BC to compete in the Western Canadian XC Challenge.