SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Senior Caleb Sarsland placed seventh overall in the men's 5K to lead Dickinson State as the Blue Hawks opened the 2026 cross country season Friday at the Augustana Twilight Invitational at Yankton Trail Park.

Sarsland finished in 14:49.0, with only NCAA Division I runners from South Dakota and South Dakota State crossing the line ahead of him. The Bowman, N.D., native entered the season after earning NAIA All-America honors with a ninth-place finish at the 2025 NAIA Men's Cross Country National Championships.

Sophomore Thomas Oylear was the second Blue Hawk across the line, placing 58th overall in 15:51.6 in his DSU debut.

Senior Hudson Atkinson finished 257th in 17:15.5, followed by sophomore Kyler Holinde in 386th at 18:23.1.Freshman Tristan Rogers placed 438th in 19:16.7 and junior Brady Hoverson finished 448th in 19:27.6.

Dickinson State's men finished 21st in the team standings with 616 points.

On the women's side, junior Mia Handran led the Blue Hawks with a 112th-place finish in 19:56.3.

Senior Loli Jarrett followed in 132nd with a time of 20:09.3. Freshman Andriell Jayde Herrera made her collegiate cross country debut, finishing 230th in 21:27.3.

Sophomore Kheyerah Bilger placed 299th in 23:11.0, sophomore Amanda Willis finished 315th in 23:32.9 and junior Taytum Stuhr placed 342nd in 25:58.5.

The Dickinson State women also finished 21st, totaling 646 points.

Dickinson State travels to Bismarck, N.D., for the Marauders Invitational Sept. 11.