SASKATOON, Sask. — This Saturday (Sept. 26), the University of Saskatchewan Huskie Cross Country team is set to officially begin the season-long race that is the 2026 Canada West campaign. Laid out ahead of the 23 student-athletes that make up the latest edition of the program are four opportunities, four eight kilometre races that is, to prove themselves among the best distance runners in Canada West and U SPORTS.
The first starting pistol of the season will fire this Saturday, September 26th at the Dakota Dunes Resort with the running of the fourth annual Dakota Classic, the flagship home event for the Huskie Cross Country team and the USask Huskies. Formerly known as the Sled Dog Open, the team's commitment to reconciliation in action first started in 2018 after the program embarked on an annual tradition of wearing orange competition uniforms in support of Every Child Matters and Truth and Reconciliation. In 2019, competitors from across the conference joined in, then in 2023 the race moved to Whitecap Dakota First Nation, the first and only self-governing First Nation in Saskatchewan.
The season-opening race will feature a pair of 8km contests around a 2km loop weaving through the Dakota Dunes driving range. Saskatchewan will be one of four schools competing, racing alongside the Manitoba Bisons, Regina Cougars, and Alberta Golden Bears and Pandas.
The day gets started at 9:15am with the Truth & Reconciliation Community Walk/Run before the event shifts towards competition. The men will be the first to take centre stage at 10:30am, followed by the women's race at 11:30am.
Following the Dakota Classic, the Huskies will head west for the Canada West Cross Country Challenge in Vancouver on October 10th before returning to the prairies for the 2026 Canada West Championships in Calgary on October 31st. The 2026 season will then culminate in Hamilton, Ontario with the 2026 U SPORTS Championships, set to be hosted by McMaster University.
2026 TEAM PREVIEW
HUSKIE MEN
"We have a solid group of rookies joining the program this season, and while replacing two conference all-stars is never easy in a sport where age and experience are significant contributors to success, we're excited about the group's potential," said head coach
Jason Reindl who enters his 10th season with the Huskies. "We are looking to getting back to competition and to see how we stack up in Canada West."
Returning this season to help lead the Huskies are a pair of experienced runners in fourth-year
Jacob White, who finished 9th in last year's Dakota Classic, and 2025 team Rookie of the Year
Bennett Friesen. The pair are going to be expected to continue pressing up front after strong 2025 seasons.
Joining the fold this year is incoming rookie
Colter Folk who comes in as one of the top recruits in the program and conference. The Swift Current product will be expected to have an immediate impact this season and demonstrate what made him such a sought-after prospect.
This weekend, Regina will serve as the team to beat for the Huskies as they come into the season with a strong group working to climb the Canada West standings. A team victory remains the ultimate goal, with Saskatchewan looking to make it three in a row at the Dakota Classic.
HUSKIE WOMEN
"The women are coming off a really solid training block and have put in a lot of quality work over the offseason," said Reindl. "We feel they're much better prepared for the 8 kilometre race distance than they were a year ago, which should give them confidence as we head into the 2026 season."
At the head of the pack, the Huskies are looking to
Morgan Tiede and
Angelina Beveridge Warick to lead the team once again. At the 2025 Dakota Classic, the pair finished first and second as Saskatchewan took the team title.
Brooklyn Roney, who finished fifth a season ago, and incoming UBC transfer
Madelyn Kaban will also be expected to make an impact come race day, bringing depth to the USask lineup.
Given the current roster of athletes, Saskatchewan will be look to earn their fourth consecutive Dakota Classic win, keeping their perfect record at their home event intact.
