TIFFIN, Ohio – Coming off a season in which the Dragons matched their highest-ever finish at the G-MAC Championships by placing third out of 11 teams, the Tiffin University men's cross country team enters 2026 looking to build on that momentum. Leading the way are returning All-G-MAC performers
Gabe Douce and
Isaac Houghton.
Houghton earned First Team All-G-MAC honors after placing 10th at the 2025 G-MAC Championships, crossing the finish line in 24:39.6. Douce followed closely behind, claiming Second Team All-G-MAC recognition with a 16th-place finish in 24:53.4.
The Dragons return a strong core from last year's squad and begin the season ranked No. 26 in NCAA Division II according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The ranking matches the highest national ranking in program history, and Tiffin is also slotted fifth in the Midwest Region preseason rankings. The No. 5 regional ranking is the highest preseason mark ever earned by the program, eclipsing the previous best of No. 9 set by both the 2025 and 2012 teams.
Looking to take the next step for the Dragons this season will be senior
Ashton Vent, sophomore
Joey Clabaugh, and juniors
Connor Tighe and
Kade Sutherland, all of whom are expected to play key roles in the team's success. Tiffin also welcomes a talented group of newcomers who will look to make an immediate impact as the Dragons continue to build on last season's historic campaign.
Walsh enter the fall as the defending G-MAC Champion as they're anchored by All-Conference runner Theo Papas and rising sophomore David D'Altorio, the returning G-MAC Freshman of the Year.
Action will kick off for the 'Gons on Friday when they host the Tiffin XC Open at the Paradiso Athletic Complex. They will then host a G-MAC Preview Meet out at Hedges Boyer Park. These early September clashes serve as vital testing grounds before programs transition into major mid-season national crossovers. Tiffin will then host the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship on November 7. You can find the full schedule
here.
