The Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks men’s cross country team will start their 2026 season on Saturday, September 12, by hosting the Jim Hunt Invitational at Beau Pre Golf Club in McKinleyville, California. The men’s 8K race is set to begin at 10:45 a.m. This meet will be Humboldt’s only home event of the season.
For the first time, the Jim Hunt Invitational will feature a high school division, expanding the reach of this well-regarded North Coast cross country event. Beau Pre Golf Club provides a spectator-friendly course with multiple vantage points throughout the race.
The 2026 season marks the debut of Michael Schroer as head coach of the Lumberjacks men’s cross country team. The team returns a strong and experienced group that finished second at last year’s Jim Hunt Invitational, narrowly trailing Southern Oregon by five points.
Key returning athletes include Jacob Christopher, who finished third last year with a time of 25:21.76; Nicholas Woolery and Elias Wiggins, who placed sixth and seventh respectively with times of 26:02; Spencer Borin, ninth at 26:09.55; along with Daniel Shaver and Trevor Stewart, who placed 13th and 14th respectively.
This home meet offers a critical early-season benchmark as Humboldt prepares for upcoming competitions such as the Mike Johnson Classic on September 26 at Ash Creek Preserve in Monmouth, Oregon. The team’s mix of seasoned returners and promising newcomers sets a solid foundation for the 2026 campaign.
CSB Take
Hosting the Jim Hunt Invitational provides Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks men’s cross country an opportunity to showcase their talent on home terrain while introducing a new head coach, Michael Schroer. Returning veteran runners give the team a competitive edge and a chance to build momentum early in the season. This meet also allows new team members to gain valuable experience, setting the stage for a strong performance throughout the rest of the 2026 schedule.
Source: Original report
