Firebirds Predicted to Earn Runner-Up Finish at CCIW Championships

NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Carthage men's cross country team has been selected to finish second in the 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Men's Cross Country Pre-Championship Poll, the conference announced Thursday. The 2026 CCIW Cross Country Championships are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31.

POLL RESULTS
1. North Central - 64 (8 first-place votes)
2. Carthage - 54
3. Millikin - 52 (1 first-place vote)
4. Wheaton - 42
5. Augustana - 33
6. Illinois Wesleyan - 28
T-7. Carroll - 21
T-7. Elmhurst - 21
9. North Park - 9

The Firebirds enter the 2026 CCIW Championship race coming off three second-place finishes in the past four seasons with runner-up finishes in 2022, 2023, and 2025.

Junior Harlan Matson has been the top finisher for the squad at the last three races, including a 12th place finish at the Carleton Running of the Cows. Andrew Schaer opened the season as the Firebirds top finisher at the Concordia Wis. Ken Weidt Classic, coming in third place in the race.

Luke Davey, LJ Higgs, and Joe Johnston have consistently rounded out the scoring five for the Firebirds

The Firebirds will compete in the CCIW Championships at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday at St. James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville, Ill. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Luke Davey: Senior

LJ Higgs: Junior

Joe Johnston: Sophomore

Harlan Matson: Junior

Andrew Schaer: Junior

Players Mentioned

Luke Davey
: Senior

LJ Higgs
: Junior

Joe Johnston
: Sophomore

Harlan Matson
: Junior

Andrew Schaer
: Junior