The College of Idaho cross country teams are entering the 2026 season with strong championship ambitions. The women's team has been favored to succeed after dominating the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) with seven consecutive championships. They return six of the seven athletes from the national team that narrowly missed a trophy last season, including standout Julia Gilbert and Kylee Quinton. The men鈥檚 team, picked second in the preseason poll, also brings back six of their NAIA Championship runners, led by Oclan Ryan. Both teams aim to leverage their depth and experience to secure further accolades this fall.

By the Numbers
  • Women's team has won seven consecutive CCC championships.
  • Six women's runners return who placed fifth at the NAIA Championships last season.
  • Oclan Ryan has a cross country personal best of 24:33.
  • Isaac Anttonen's 5,000m personal best is 14:46.
Yes, But

While the Yotes are expecting to dominate, the loss of senior leaders like Jovi Kuskie for the women's team could impact their depth. Replacing experienced runners on the men鈥檚 team, such as Collin De Julio and Ashton Drage, adds uncertainty despite overall strong returning talent.

State of Play
  • The women's team views this as their deepest roster ever.
  • The men's team maintains a mix of experienced and young runners ready for competition.
  • Head Coach Dominic Bolin expresses optimism regarding both teams' potential for success.
What's Next

The Yotes begin their season on September 4 at the Linfield Harrier Classic, with other key meets leading up to the CCC Championships on November 6 and the NAIA Championships on November 20. Their performance in these events will determine their national positioning.

Bottom Line

With championship titles in their sights, the Yotes are poised to maximize their depth and returning experience. How they navigate the loss of key athletes will be critical to achieving their ambitious goals in the upcoming season.