MARION, Ind. – No. 6 Macomb Men's Cross Country lifted the lid on their 2026 campaign on Friday (Sept. 4) at the Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) Twlight in Marion, Ind. Due to a heat wave, the event was changed to a 6k and moved to a later start time of 7:40 p.m. ET.

Michael Nivala Jr. highlighted a solid opening night for the Blue and White as the star sophomore checked in at 18:44.3 to finish eighth overall out of 241 runners, most of which hailed from the four-year school ranks.

The event host, IWU, entered the 2026 season ranked second nationally in the NAIA and Nivala defeated two of the host's scoring runners as part of his impressive 6k display.

Jacob Kosidlo, last year's MCCAA Eastern Conference Runner of the Year, crossed the finish line in 39^th place at 19:36.8, while newcomers John Blaskowski and Mario Carducci posted finished 111^th and 119^th, respectively. Blaskowski recorded a time of 20:42.0 and Carducci crossed at 20:55.4.

Fellow newcomer Henry Terrien wasn't far behind in 139^th after clocking in at 21:10.5 to round out the scoring for the Monarchs.

Coming back from a difficult injury that ended his season before it started in 2025, Dylan Penberthy worked his way to a time of 21:27.2.

Chris Sayers (21:50.9), Noah Nasceif (22:18.5), Seamus Murphy (23:01.3) and Daryl Winters III (24:04.3) closed out the action for the Monarchs.

Up Next: The Monarchs head to Northville's Cass Benton Park on Sept. 12 to compete in the Tommy Titan vs. W the Warrior Classic.