Southern Connecticut State University women's cross country opened 2026 with a runner-up finish at the University of Hartford XC Invitational. In the Women 3K Team Results, UConn won with 16 points and Southern Connecticut State was 2nd with 41 points, running 56:12 total for an 11:14 average, ahead of New Haven (96), Hartford (103), and Molloy (141). 

At the 2026 University of Hartford XC Invitational Women's 3K, Southern Connecticut State placed second with 41 points behind UConn's 16. The Owls were led by junior Erin Sola, who placed 5th overall in 10:55.0 with a 7:23.0 split at 2K, making her the top non-UConn finisher. Sophomore Mckenzie David was the second scorer in 7th place at 11:11.8, followed closely by senior Peyton Dauphinais in 8th at 11:16.4. Senior Kaylee Gravel finished 10th in 11:23.8 and freshman Michelle Blackburn closed out the scoring five in 11th at 11:25.1, giving Southern a 30.1-second spread from first to fifth scorer.  

Freshman Raelyn Oetzel was the sixth runner in 15th overall at 11:53.7, and freshman Sylvie Hiltz was seventh in 22nd at 12:20.3. Additional Owls included sophomore Maya Fisher in 12:39.9, freshman Skielyz Reyes in 12:40.8, freshman Isabella Duarte in 13:03.3, and sophomore Anna Wayne in 13:38.7. UConn swept the top four individual spots with Anique Poulin (10:39.2), Samantha Moore (10:39.5), Calista Mayer (10:50.4), and Alexandra Morgan (10:53.6) before Sola broke up the pack. 

The 41-point total and 30.1-second compression from Sola to Blackburn shows strong pack running early in the season. With Sola leading, David and Dauphinais within five seconds of each other, and Blackburn scoring as a freshman, Southern held off the rest of the 10-team field. The 56:12 total time (11:14 average) despite UConn's perfect 1-4 sweep positions the Owls well for conference competition as the distance moves to 5K and 6K later in the season.