The Lake Forest College cross country program began its 2026 season at Aurora University's Spartan Classic on Saturday. The Forester men finished second out of six teams and the women third of seven.

The men's 8-kilometer race was first and Demos Manoukis led Lake Forest and placed third out of 62 runners in the field with a time of 29:07.7. The next three Foresters were separated by just 13 seconds with Owen Lashenik leading the group in 12th place overall at 30:48.7. Oliver Gumerson was 15th in 30:55.3 and Khalil Crosby 16th in 31:01.7.

College of DuPage was the team champion on the men's side with 34 points. Lake Forest was the runner-up with 62 to finish 19 points ahead of third-place Aurora.

As she did in four of six races a season ago, Lettia Hoda led the Forester women on Saturday. Her 6-kilometer time of 25:49.6 was good for seventh place out of 70 competitors. Sophie Graham was 11th in 26:14.9 and freshman Gabriela Tamamidis finished 17th in 26:44.4 in her collegiate debut. Eleanor Clark and freshman Amelia Long also placed in the top 20 with times of 27:06.5 and 27:30.1, respectively.

With just 27 points, North Central placed first in the team standings. Aurora tallied 57 points and Lake Forest was third with 65.

The meet was held at Settlers Hill Golf Course in Batavia, Illinois.

The Foresters will be in action again next Saturday at Wheaton College's Gil Dodds Invitational.