WINTHROP, MINNESOTA -  The North Central University (NCU) men's and women's cross country teams competed at the 2026 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Championships on Saturday at Winthrop Golf Course. Four Rams represented North Central, with two runners competing in each race. Despite the chilly late-fall Minnesota conditions, NCU displayed determination and resilience throughout the day, closing out conference championship competition with a strong collective effort.

MEN'S RECAP
On the men's side, David Bjorge led the way for North Central in the 8K race, crossing the finish line with a time of 32:55.40. Bjorge battled through the cold conditions to pace the Rams, putting together a determined performance against conference competition.

Eli Foley followed closely behind, finishing in 33:05.80, just over 10 seconds behind Bjorge. Foley continued to demonstrate his competitiveness and consistency, rounding out the men's representation for NCU. The duo pushed through the challenging conditions and finished within seconds of one another, highlighting their effort and determination.

WOMEN'S RECAP

For the women, Anna Deichert led the Rams in the 6K with a time of 30:22.10. Deichert continued her strong stretch of late-season performances, improving upon her previous personal-best time of 30:57 set earlier this season at Carleton College's Running of the Cows meet. Her performance marked another personal record and brought her closer to the 30-minute barrier.

Mary Fossell rounded out the Rams' competitors, completing the 6K course in 36:18.20. Fossell battled through the cold weather and demonstrated the same determination and perseverance that characterized North Central's efforts throughout the championship meet.

With four runners representing NCU, the Rams showed tremendous heart and commitment, continuing to compete and push themselves through the final stages of the season.

All fans are encouraged to tune into the official Rams Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter (X) pages for updates on men's and women's cross country and all things NCU Athletics.