SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls Cross Country teams opened the 2025 season under the lights on a crisp Friday night at Yankton Trails Park. Racing in temperatures in the low 50s, the Cougar women earned ninth place out of 26 teams in the 5,000-meter race, while the men finished 16th out of 25 teams in the 4-mile competition.

Women's Race – 5,000 Meters

Senior Mallory Salazar picked up right where she left off in 2024, leading the Cougars with a personal-best 18:19.54 to finish 32nd overall. Freshman Anjalie Aho made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut, running 18:45.30 for 46th place, while classmate Brooklyn Koll added a strong 19:04.77 finish for 65th.

The Cougars also saw sophomore Chloe Aanenson set a PR at 19:19.08, and senior Lillian McCone record a career best with 20:14.64. Veterans Emma Thomas and Faith Rustad helped round out the top seven as USF showed depth in its season opener.

Men's Race – 4 Miles

Freshman Owen Janiszeski led the Cougar men with a 59th-place finish in 20:05.03, scoring 39 points to pace the team. Seniors Bryson Canton (20:48.37) and Parker Hahn (20:49.53, PR) crossed together in the middle of the pack, while freshman Hunter Hart (20:56.03) and junior Jace Cofer (21:13.75) closed out the scoring five.

Additional highlights included personal bests from Guta Buta (22:38.43) and Dylan Saur (22:41.26), as the Cougars displayed a mix of experienced veterans and promising underclassmen.

Full Results – Women (5,000m)

• 32. Mallory Salazar – 18:19.54 (PR) – Sr

• 46. Anjalie Aho – 18:45.30 – Fr

• 65. Brooklyn Koll – 19:04.77 – Fr

• 80. Chloe Aanenson – 19:19.08 (PR) – So

• 115. Emma Thomas – 19:49.08 – Sr

• 129. Faith Rustad – 20:01.43 – Sr

• 151. Lilly McCone – 20:14.64 (PR) – Sr

• 157. Eva Studt – 20:18.46 – Sr

• 177. Faith Traphagen – 20:32.24 – Fr

• 181. Olivia Babler – 20:33.77 – So

• 191. Cameen McFarquhar – 20:39.42 – So

• 203. Isah VanArsdol – 20:47.77 – Fr

• 219. Raina Weigelt – 21:00.31 – Sr

Full Results – Men (4 Miles)

• 59. Owen Janiszeski – 20:05.03 – Fr – 39 pts

• 131. Bryson Canton – 20:48.37 – Sr – 87 pts

• 132. Parker Hahn – 20:49.53 (PR) – Sr – 88 pts

• 147. Hunter Hart – 20:56.03 – Fr – 98 pts

• 174. Jace Cofer – 21:13.75 – Jr – 113 pts

• 193. Chase Henderson – 21:25.50 – Jr – 121 pts

• 201. Josiah Schroeder – 21:30.19 – Jr – 124 pts

• 227. Gage Grohs – 21:48.42 – So

• 272. Jaylen Palmer – 22:14.72 – Fr

• 293. Guta Buta – 22:38.43 (PR) – So

• 298. Dylan Saur – 22:41.26 (PR) – Jr

Up Next

The Cougars return to action on Friday, September 19, at the Roy Griak Invitational in St. Paul, Minnesota. Both the men's and women's teams will compete at Les Bolstad Golf Course.

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