Men's XC Ready to Repeat

Palatine, IL: Fresh off a national championship performance, the Harper College men's cross country team enters the 2026 season with a clear objective: build on that momentum and take the next step forward. With a strong culture already in place and a group that understands what it takes to compete at the highest level, the Hawks aren't looking backward and are focused on 2026.

At the center of that pursuit is Head Coach Jim Macnider, who begins his 16th season leading the program he helped elevate to national prominence, starting with a title in his first year in 2011. He's joined by assistants John Majerus and Dianne Barajas, both former Hawks whose experiences as national-level athletes continue to shape the program. Majerus, entering his 10th season on staff, was a two-time national champion and the 2014 team MVP and All-American. Barajas, now in her sixth season, was part of the women's program's first national championship team in 2016 after helping lead a runner-up finish in 2015.

The Hawks return a proven trio of All-Americans in Sebastian Welc, Ryan Golden, and Ethan Waddell, each of whom played a key role on last year's championship squad. Welc and Golden earned First Team All-American honors, while Waddell secured Honorable Mention recognition, giving Harper a strong and experienced core to build around.

The Hawks will welcome three freshmen to the roster in Kevin Martinez, Mozart Ontiveros, and Nestor Sanchez, along with returning Harper track athlete Fernando Velásquez.

Martinez joins the Hawks from Elgin, bringing versatility to the program as he prepares to compete in the 400m during the spring track season. Ontiveros arrives from Maine West and has the potential to make an immediate impact in the Harper lineup, entering the season as a strong contender to become the Hawks' third or fourth runner. Sanchez, a Conant graduate, adds valuable depth as Harper continues to build a competitive and balanced roster.

Velásquez also joins the cross country squad after competing for Harper during the 2025 track and field season. Primarily a 400m runner, Velásquez brings another unique athletic background to the team and is expected to become a strong contributor as the season progresses.

With three returning All-Americans leading a roster that combines experience, young talent, and athletes from a variety of running backgrounds, the Hawks will once again face a demanding season in pursuit of a national championship.

The road ahead will provide plenty of challenges, but Harper's focus remains on developing throughout the season and putting itself in position to compete when it matters most. The Hawks will look to defend their national championship and pursue an 11th NJCAA Division III National Championship in program history.

The 2026 campaign will begin a new chapter for the program, with a familiar championship standard guiding the way. From the first race of the season through the postseason, the Hawks will look to grow together, embrace the challenges ahead, and make another run at the top of the NJCAA Division III cross country landscape.

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Players Mentioned

Ryan Golden: Sophomore

Ethan Waddell: Sophomore

Sebastian Welc: Sophomore

Mozart Ontiveros: Freshman

Kevin Martinez: Freshman

Nestor Sanchez: Freshman

Fernando Velásquez: Freshman

Players Mentioned

Ryan Golden
: Sophomore

Ethan Waddell
: Sophomore

Sebastian Welc
: Sophomore

Mozart Ontiveros
: Freshman

Kevin Martinez
: Freshman

Nestor Sanchez
: Freshman

Fernando Velásquez
: Freshman