KANSAS CITY, MO – Washburn University’s cross country coaching staff was named the MIAA Coaching Staff of the Year for the 2026 men’s cross country season. It is the first time in MIAA history that the Ichabods’ coaching staff has been honored as the league’s cross country Coaching Staff of the Year.
 
Washburn’s men’s cross country program was crowned the MIAA Champion for the first time in program history after taking home the team title at the 2026 MIAA Men’s Cross Country Championship, hosted on November 7 at the Griffon Cross Country Course in St. Joseph, Missouri.
 
After finishing third, fourth and second the last three years, the Ichabods finally captured their first men's cross country title since the team was resurrected for the 2016 season. Washburn had five runners place in the top 20 and three in the top six to edge rival Pittsburg State by three points, 48-51, and capture the historic championship.
 
The Ichabods are led by their eight-year Head Cross Country Coach David Granato, 11-year Head Track and Field and Cross Country Coach Cameron Babb, and second-year Assistant Coach Leo Freeland.
 
Washburn men enter the 2026 NCAA Division II Regional Championship meet as the No. 11-ranked team in the nation and the No. 2-ranked team in the Central Region.
 
The men’s eight-kilometer Central Region Championship race is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D. The top three teams from each of the eight Division II regions will automatically advance to the 2026 NCAA Division II National Championship meet. Ten additional teams and a minimum of 24 additional individuals can also be selected to participate in each championship through an automatic qualifier and at-large selection process.
 
For more information about the 2026 NCAA Division II Regional Cross Country Championships, visit NCAA.com.