(LORAIN, Ohio) – The Wilmington College men's cross country team heads to Lorain County Community College for the 2026 Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Cross Country Championships, hosted by Baldwin Wallace University. They compete in their 8k race at Noon.

The Quakers are coming off 5th place finishes in both 2023 and 2024, before a 6th place finish last season.

Their best runner this season has been sophomore Neka Bukasa, who is in his first season for the Quakers competing in cross country. He competed for Wilmington on the track last year.

Bukasa etched his name in the record books at the Louisville Cross Country Classic back on October 3rd, running a career best time of 26:19.9, which slots him as the 21st best individual time in program history. He has broken the 26:30 mark in each of his last two races, including a 15th place, 26:23.8 finish at the JennaStrong Fall Classic two weeks ago and looks to make his mark in the conference meet.

Putting together the best season of his Quakers career is senior Bryson Robinette. After heading into the season with a career best 8k time of just under 28 minutes, Robinette has blown past that time and put together two races under 27:30, including a career best 27:24.6 at the JennaStrong Fall Classic.

Sophomores Braydon Buchanan and Simeon Williamson have also been putting together great seasons for Wilmington along with junior Keegan Kidd and freshman Samuel Quackenbush.

After breaking the 28-minute 8k barrier one time as a freshman and also dealing with injuries throughout track & field season, Buchanan has returned in great form for the Quakers. He has pushed past 28 minutes in all three 8k's this season, including a 27:08.8 at the Louisville Cross Country Classic. That time is the second-best individual performance for the Quakers this season.

Williamson has stayed consistent all season long, running times of 28:00.3, 27:30.0, and 27:40.3 in his 8k races this season. His 27:30.0 at the Louisville Cross Country Classic is his career best time. He has broken the 28-minute mark in every cross-country race he has competed in as a Quaker, outside of two races.

Kidd has had his best cross-country season this year, blowing past his previous personal bests and going under 28 minutes for the first time. In his two 8k's this season, he has times of 28:02.1 and 27:33.0.

Quackenbush has been the best freshman for Wilmington this season. He has two solid times of 28:13.4 and 28:16.0 in 8k's and looks to make a big mark in his first OAC Championships.

Another freshman to look out for is Jake Vance, who broke the 29-minute 8k mark at the Louisville Cross Country Classic, crossing the line in 28:42.0.