MECHANICSVILLE, Va. – The Elon women's cross country team continued its unbeaten start to the 2026 season Friday morning, winning the Richmond Invitational at Pole Green Park for its third team title in as many meets.
 
The Phoenix placed three runners among the top eight and all five scorers inside the top 17 to finish with 42 points, 35 ahead of runner-up George Washington. Hannah Weber paced Elon with a third-place finish in the women's 6K, crossing the line in 20:59.8.
 
On the men's side, fifth-year Evan Taylor led the Phoenix for the third consecutive meet, placing 11th in the 8K in 25:18.5. Elon finished ninth in the team standings with 208 points.
 
WOMEN'S 6K

• Weber led Elon across the line for the first time this season, finishing third overall in 20:59.8.
• Beville placed sixth in 21:24.5, giving her a top-six finish in each of her first three races this season. She won the Elon Opener before finishing third at the Queen City Invite.
• Gold continued the strong start to her collegiate career, placing eighth in 21:50.7. She has finished among the top eight overall in each of her first three collegiate races.
• Kate Buerger placed 15th in 22:23.7 and Emilia Smith completed Elon's scoring five by finishing 17th in 22:30.1.
• Elon's scoring five finished 3-6-8-15-17 as the Phoenix totaled 42 points, 35 fewer than both George Washington and Richmond.
• Adriana Luking placed 40th in 23:01.8, followed by Alicen Ashley in 49th at 23:11.5 and Winter Oaster in 61st at 23:28.2.
• Ashland Dickel finished 75th in 23:43.5, while Madi Galindo crossed the line 97th in 25:06.6.
• Elon has now won all three meets it has competed in this season, following victories at the Elon Opener and Queen City Invite.

 
MEN'S 8K

• Taylor led the Phoenix for the third consecutive meet, finishing 11th in 25:18.5. The performance improved his season-best 8K time by 7.9 seconds from the Queen City Invite.
• Franklin Wimbish was Elon's second finisher, placing 41st with a personal-best time of 26:21.0.
• Juan Pablo Castillo-Zima followed in 48th at 26:35.9, while Josh Driscoll finished 60th in 26:50.7.
• Kevin Steinman completed Elon's scoring five with a 63rd-place finish in 26:55.9. Steinman has scored for the Phoenix in each of his first three collegiate meets.
• Ryan Frawley posted a personal-best 27:18.5 to finish 71st, while Tre Kelly also recorded a personal best with a time of 27:24.3 in 73rd.
• Max Bixler placed 69th in 27:15.5, Seth Steiner was 72nd in 27:19.5, Gavin Hasson finished 79th in 27:33.6, Garrison Franks was 81st in 27:36.5 and Bryan Hampson placed 83rd in 27:41.7.
• High Point won the team title with 55 points, followed by Duke with 59 and George Washington with 83.

 
WOMEN'S 6K – RESULTS
Team (Top 5)
1. Elon (42 points)
2. George Washington (77)
3. Richmond (77)
4. High Point (104)
5. Davidson (149)
 
Individual
3. Hannah Weber (20:59.8)
6. Abby Beville (21:24.5)
8. Millie Gold (21:50.7)
15. Kate Buerger (22:23.7)
17. Emilia Smith (22:30.1)
40. Adriana Luking (23:01.8)
49. Alicen Ashley (23:11.5)
61. Winter Oaster (23:28.2)
75. Ashland Dickel (23:43.5)
97. Madi Galindo (25:06.6)
 
MEN'S 8K – RESULTS
Team (Top 5)
1. High Point (55 points)
2. Duke (59)
3. George Washington (83)
4. Davidson (102)
5. George Mason (119)
9. Elon (208)
 
Individual
11. Evan Taylor (25:18.5)
41. Franklin Wimbish (26:21.0 – personal best)
48. Juan Pablo Castillo-Zima (26:35.9)
60. Josh Driscoll (26:50.7)
63. Kevin Steinman (26:55.9)
69. Max Bixler (27:15.5)
71. Ryan Frawley (27:18.5 – personal best)
72. Seth Steiner (27:19.5)
73. Tre Kelly (27:24.3 – personal best)
79. Gavin Hasson (27:33.6)
81. Garrison Franks (27:36.5)
83. Bryan Hampson (27:41.7)
 
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