Beloit, Wis. — Illinois Tech cross country, in their final meet before the conference championships at the end of the month, recorded several personal records on both the men's and women's side at the 2026 Wisconsin Private College Championships at Leeson Park. The men's posted a qualifying team result, finishing sixth with 142 points in the men's 8K team standings, with Davin Mikulcik placing 23rd in 29:08.2. On the women's side, Clara Pargett paced the Scarlet Hawks, finishing 45th with a time of 27:20.2 in the women's 6k.

Notable Performances

Mikulcik recorded the Scarlet Hawks' top men's 8K finish, placing 23rd in 29:08.2 with a 5:51.7 average mile. Mikulcik established a new personal record, beating his previous best by over a minute. Cole Shilley placed 30th in 29:59.9, besting his personal best by almost two minutes. Benjamin Gaeta finished 32nd in 30:10.0. Clara Pargett posted the Scarlet Hawks' top women's 6K result, finishing 45th in 27:20.2 with a 7:19.9 average mile, while also setting a new personal record.

Assistant Coach Evan Balizado likes where the team is at heading into the NACC Cross Country championships on October 31st.

"It was a great race on both sides, we are peaking at the perfect time," said Balizado. "Big PRs from Davin, Cole, Clara and Emily. Getting fit and healthy at the right time. The full roster should be racing at conference."

Race Results
(pr) = personal record

Scarlet Hawks Men's Results (8K)
23. Mikulcik - 29:08.2(pr), 21 points
30. Shilley - 29:59.9(pr), 27 points
32. Gaeta - 30:10.0, 29 points
38. Jeremiah Simons - 31:11.2, 32 points
43. Jonathan Garcia-Hernandez - 31:48.7, 33 points
46. William Richards - 32:04.8, 35 points

Scarlet Hawks Women's Results (6K)
45. Pargett - 27:20.2(pr)
62. Annika McKown - 29:04.6
67. Emily Galgano - 29:30.4(pr)

Up Next
The Scarlet Hawks will continue training for the Northern Athletics College Conference (NACC) Cross Country Championships, taking place Saturday, October 31st, at Settler's Hill XC Course in Geneva, Illinois.