Michigan State University Athletics
Friday, October 9
Madison, Wis.
Michigan State University
at
Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational
Spartan Cross Country Returns to Action at the Nuttycombe Invitational
10/8/2026 3:16:00 PM | Cross Country
Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational Presented by Under Armour
Date: Friday, Oct. 9
Time: Championship Races: Women's "A" Race – 10:30 a.m. CT / 11:30 a.m. ET | Men's "A" Race – 11:10 a.m. CT / 12:10 p.m. ET | "B" Races: Women's "B" Race – 11:50 a.m. CT / 12:50 p.m. ET | Men's "B" Race – 12:30 p.m. CT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Location: Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course (Verona, Wis.)
Live Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Following a strong performance at the John McNichols Invitational, the Michigan State cross country program travels to Verona, Wisconsin, to compete in the prestigious Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.
The championship portion begins with the women's "A" 6K race at 11:30 a.m. ET, followed by the men's "A" 8K race at 12:10 p.m. ET. The women's "B" race will follow at 12:50 a.m. ET, with the men's "B" race concluding the day at 1:30 p.m. ET.
COURSE PREVIEW: THOMAS ZIMMER CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
Host of the 2026 Big Ten Championships later this October and the 2024 NCAA Championships, the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course serves as one of the premier purpose-built facilities in collegiate distance running. Nestled adjacent to University Ridge Golf Course, the rolling layout features wide fairways, sweeping turns, and punishing gradual inclines that test sustained race pace.
THE FIELD: NATION'S TOP PROGRAMS COLLIDE IN MADISON
Annually recognized as one of the deepest regular-season competitions in NCAA cross country, the Nuttycombe Invitational brings together dozens of nationally ranked programs from every major conference. In addition to squaring off with host Wisconsin and a formidable contingent of Big Ten rivals, including Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, Nebraska, UCLA, Washington, Iowa, and Rutgers. The Spartans will line up against top-tier contenders from coast to coast.
The elite entry list is stacked with distance powerhouses and perennial national championship threats from the SEC, ACC, Big 12, and top western conferences. Participating programs making the trip to Madison include national heavyweights such as Northern Arizona, New Mexico, BYU, Colorado, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa State, Stanford, Oregon State, Utah, Oklahoma State and Harvard, providing a pivotal measuring stick for national qualification and crucial at-large points.
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SPARTAN MEN TO WATCH
The No. 18 Spartan men look to carry their momentum forward following an impressive showing against national-level competition in Terre Haute.
Reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Thomas Westphal leads the Green and White's front pack after securing an eighth-place individual finish at the John McNichols Invitational, clocking an 8K time of 23:54.6 against an elite national field.
Moses Osterink provides proven low-stick capability after a strong 31st-place finish (24:18.5) at LaVern Gibson, while freshman Beckett Crooks looks to build on his momentum after setting a personal-best mark of 24:34.6 in Terre Haute. Veteran leaders Riley Hough, Jasper Cane, and Michael Hegarty round out the scoring core, looking to tighten MSU's top-five compression across the rolling Madison layout.
SPARTAN WOMEN TO WATCH
The Spartan women enter Friday's 6K championship race looking to build upon their depth and pace-setting experience against premier national competition.
Taylor Pangburn continues to anchor the Spartans' front group, entering the meet fresh off a team-leading 28th-place performance at the John McNichols Invitational in a competitive 20:47.7.
Freshman standout Klaire Eighner continues to make an immediate impact in her debut campaign, crossing as MSU's second finisher in Terre Haute in 21:10.7 (52nd overall). Fellow underclassmen Maya Ledesma (21:19.4) and senior Abrielle Schweitzer (21:34.0) bolster the middle kilometers, while freshmen Kaitlyn Reese and Valerie Beeck look to translate personal-best momentum from the Terre Haute open races into championship scoring positions.
UP NEXT
Michigan State returns to the Mitten State to compete in the EMU Fall Classic in Ypsilanti, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 23.
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Date: Friday, Oct. 9
Time: Championship Races: Women's "A" Race – 10:30 a.m. CT / 11:30 a.m. ET | Men's "A" Race – 11:10 a.m. CT / 12:10 p.m. ET | "B" Races: Women's "B" Race – 11:50 a.m. CT / 12:50 p.m. ET | Men's "B" Race – 12:30 p.m. CT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Location: Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course (Verona, Wis.)
Live Results
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Following a strong performance at the John McNichols Invitational, the Michigan State cross country program travels to Verona, Wisconsin, to compete in the prestigious Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course.
The championship portion begins with the women's "A" 6K race at 11:30 a.m. ET, followed by the men's "A" 8K race at 12:10 p.m. ET. The women's "B" race will follow at 12:50 a.m. ET, with the men's "B" race concluding the day at 1:30 p.m. ET.
COURSE PREVIEW: THOMAS ZIMMER CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
Host of the 2026 Big Ten Championships later this October and the 2024 NCAA Championships, the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course serves as one of the premier purpose-built facilities in collegiate distance running. Nestled adjacent to University Ridge Golf Course, the rolling layout features wide fairways, sweeping turns, and punishing gradual inclines that test sustained race pace.
THE FIELD: NATION'S TOP PROGRAMS COLLIDE IN MADISON
Annually recognized as one of the deepest regular-season competitions in NCAA cross country, the Nuttycombe Invitational brings together dozens of nationally ranked programs from every major conference. In addition to squaring off with host Wisconsin and a formidable contingent of Big Ten rivals, including Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State, Northwestern, Nebraska, UCLA, Washington, Iowa, and Rutgers. The Spartans will line up against top-tier contenders from coast to coast.
The elite entry list is stacked with distance powerhouses and perennial national championship threats from the SEC, ACC, Big 12, and top western conferences. Participating programs making the trip to Madison include national heavyweights such as Northern Arizona, New Mexico, BYU, Colorado, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa State, Stanford, Oregon State, Utah, Oklahoma State and Harvard, providing a pivotal measuring stick for national qualification and crucial at-large points.
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SPARTAN MEN TO WATCH
The No. 18 Spartan men look to carry their momentum forward following an impressive showing against national-level competition in Terre Haute.
Reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year Thomas Westphal leads the Green and White's front pack after securing an eighth-place individual finish at the John McNichols Invitational, clocking an 8K time of 23:54.6 against an elite national field.
Moses Osterink provides proven low-stick capability after a strong 31st-place finish (24:18.5) at LaVern Gibson, while freshman Beckett Crooks looks to build on his momentum after setting a personal-best mark of 24:34.6 in Terre Haute. Veteran leaders Riley Hough, Jasper Cane, and Michael Hegarty round out the scoring core, looking to tighten MSU's top-five compression across the rolling Madison layout.
SPARTAN WOMEN TO WATCH
The Spartan women enter Friday's 6K championship race looking to build upon their depth and pace-setting experience against premier national competition.
Taylor Pangburn continues to anchor the Spartans' front group, entering the meet fresh off a team-leading 28th-place performance at the John McNichols Invitational in a competitive 20:47.7.
Freshman standout Klaire Eighner continues to make an immediate impact in her debut campaign, crossing as MSU's second finisher in Terre Haute in 21:10.7 (52nd overall). Fellow underclassmen Maya Ledesma (21:19.4) and senior Abrielle Schweitzer (21:34.0) bolster the middle kilometers, while freshmen Kaitlyn Reese and Valerie Beeck look to translate personal-best momentum from the Terre Haute open races into championship scoring positions.
UP NEXT
Michigan State returns to the Mitten State to compete in the EMU Fall Classic in Ypsilanti, Michigan on Friday, Oct. 23.
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Players Mentioned
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
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