DePaul Opens 2026 Campaign at Huskie Opener

CHICAGO – DePaul cross country opens its 2026 season Friday, Sept. 4, traveling to DeKalb, Ill., for the Huskie Opener, hosted by Northern Illinois at the North 40 Championship Cross Country Course.

The women's 5K is set to begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's 6K at 6:10 p.m.

Friday marks the first of six meets on the Blue Demon's 2026 schedule and the first opportunity for a young DePaul roster to take the course this fall.

"Our 2026 DePaul cross country season reflects the needs of a young roster while also providing new opportunities for our veteran student-athletes," said head coach Geoff Wayton .

DePaul enters the season with experience on both sides, including a women's squad that returns its entire roster from 2025. Vivian Wyller returns after leading the Blue Demons at last season's BIG EAST Championships, while Isabella Orozco and Kalina Urbaniak, both of whom have held the DePaul program record in the 1,500-meter run, return alongside NCAA steeplechase qualifier Tessa Roe.

On the men's side, the Blue Demons return all but one member of last season's squad, which placed fifth at the BIG EAST Championships. Mohamed Abdullahi leads the returning group after a 12th-place finish at the conference meet last year before setting the DePaul program record in the outdoor 1,500 meters during the outdoor season.

Mason Krieg also returns after clocking 29:52.68 in the 10,000 meters during the 2026 outdoor season, the second-fastest mark in program history. Jack Broghammer, Cole Tupper, Jackson Hopkins and Kyle Clark add to an experienced returning group.

The Huskie Opener begins a schedule that will see the Blue Demons compete three times in September before an extended break leading into the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational on Oct. 16. DePaul will make its first appearance at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course since 2021 at the meet in Terre Haute, Ind.

"We're looking forward to the young Blue Demons making a move toward new territory in the BIG EAST Conference in the next five years," said Wayton.

Following Friday's season opener, DePaul will return to action Sept. 18 at the National Catholic Championships, hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind.

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Players Mentioned

Mohamed Abdullahi

Jack Broghammer

Kyle Clark

Jackson Hopkins

Mason Krieg

Isabella Orozco

Tessa Roe

Cole Tupper

Kalina Urbaniak

Vivian Wyller

DePaul University Athletics