COTTONWOOD, Calif. – Oregon Tech got outstanding performances from their three freshmen, as the Lady Owls opened up the 2026 cross country season at the Simpson Invitational at West Valley High.
 
Anika Jenson placed second overall with a 6,000-meter time of 24:58, as Tech finished four points behind rival Southern Oregon (26-30) in the team race.
 
"Was really proud of how we competed," said head coach Mike Anderson. "Our team time was two minutes faster than we ran on the same course last season."
 
Leona Higgins took sixth (26:18) and fellow frosh Madison Clark placed 12th (27:12), while seniors Charis Childers (25:29) and Corinne Childers (26:21) took fourth and seventh.
 
Tech returns to the course next Saturday at the Jim Hunt Invitational at Cal Poly Humboldt.