Wake Forest Athletics
Friday, September 18
Cary, N.C.
5:50 p.m.
Wake Forest University
vs
adidas XC Challenge (Men)
Men’s Cross Country Claims Team Title at adidas XC Challenge
9/18/2026 8:43:00 PM | Cross Country
Six Demon Deacons placed in the top 10 during the season opener.
CARY, N.C. – The No. 8 Wake Forest men's cross country team opened its 2026 fall campaign in stellar fashion on Friday evening, capturing the team title at the 14th annual adidas XC Challenge.
Friday marked the first-ever team crown for the Demon Deacons in the event, having also secured top-three finishes at the adidas XC Challenge in both 2024 and 2021. Additionally, it was the first regular-season meet title for Wake Forest since Oct. 19, 2024 when the Deacs won the Panorama Farms Invitational.
Wake Forest ultimately earned 25 points – finishing 41 more ahead of Big Four rival NC State in second place. It was the Deacs' highest team finish since Nov. 14, 2025 when the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship was secured.
Graduate student Paul Specht set a new 6k PR, clocking 17:54.7 to place third in the competitive field. Redshirt sophomore Grant Morgenfeld was right on his heels at a 17:54.8 result. Redshirt senior Bryce Gilmore rounded out the top five with a new 6k personal-best in fifth-place finish (17:55.5).
Freshman Daniel Skandera was exceptional in his collegiate debut, finishing sixth in a 17:56.0 time. Also competing in his first cross country race, redshirt freshman Landon Pretre ended the evening in seventh place. In all, six Demon Deacons finished in the top 10, capped by freshman Aaron Brodrick.
Four additional runners landed in the top 15:
Max Cervi-Skinner, George Lawson, Whit Longhurst, John Maguire all made their Demon Deacon debuts in cross country during the evening.
Top Five Spread
Team Results
From Coach Hayes
"Today was a solid opener in extreme heat and humidity. While we won the race, we have quite a bit to work on. There were way too many holes in our lineup. I expect to be much better in three weeks in Madison, Wisconsin. Now it's time to rest and get back to work." – Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes
Next Up
The Wake Forest women's cross country team will have its second race of the fall next Saturday (Sept. 26), competing in the Princeton Meadows Challenge. The 6k race is scheduled for a 10:15 a.m. start time on the Tigers' home course.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Friday marked the first-ever team crown for the Demon Deacons in the event, having also secured top-three finishes at the adidas XC Challenge in both 2024 and 2021. Additionally, it was the first regular-season meet title for Wake Forest since Oct. 19, 2024 when the Deacs won the Panorama Farms Invitational.
Wake Forest ultimately earned 25 points – finishing 41 more ahead of Big Four rival NC State in second place. It was the Deacs' highest team finish since Nov. 14, 2025 when the NCAA Southeast Regional Championship was secured.
Graduate student Paul Specht set a new 6k PR, clocking 17:54.7 to place third in the competitive field. Redshirt sophomore Grant Morgenfeld was right on his heels at a 17:54.8 result. Redshirt senior Bryce Gilmore rounded out the top five with a new 6k personal-best in fifth-place finish (17:55.5).
Freshman Daniel Skandera was exceptional in his collegiate debut, finishing sixth in a 17:56.0 time. Also competing in his first cross country race, redshirt freshman Landon Pretre ended the evening in seventh place. In all, six Demon Deacons finished in the top 10, capped by freshman Aaron Brodrick.
Four additional runners landed in the top 15:
- Aidan Ross – 11th place (18:07.8)
- Max Cervi-Skinner - 12th place (18:08.0)
- Hunter Jones - 13th place (18:10.7)
- Charlie Sprott - 15th place (18:11.6)
Max Cervi-Skinner, George Lawson, Whit Longhurst, John Maguire all made their Demon Deacon debuts in cross country during the evening.
Top Five Spread
| Place (Points) | Name | Time |
| 3. (2) | Paul Specht | 17:54.7 |
| 4. (3) | Grant Morgenfeld | 17:54.8 |
| 5. (4) | Bryce Gilmore | 17:55.5 |
| 6. (5) | Daniel Skandera | 17:56.0 |
| 7. (6) | Landon Pretre | 17:59.2 |
| Place | Team | Points |
| 1. | Wake Forest | 25 |
| 2. | NC State | 66 |
| 3. | Liberty | 110 |
| 4. | High Point | 111 |
| 5. | Davidson | 135 |
"Today was a solid opener in extreme heat and humidity. While we won the race, we have quite a bit to work on. There were way too many holes in our lineup. I expect to be much better in three weeks in Madison, Wisconsin. Now it's time to rest and get back to work." – Director of Track & Field and Cross Country John Hayes
Next Up
The Wake Forest women's cross country team will have its second race of the fall next Saturday (Sept. 26), competing in the Princeton Meadows Challenge. The 6k race is scheduled for a 10:15 a.m. start time on the Tigers' home course.
Follow the Deacs
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com
Players Mentioned
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/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
/ Cross Country
Wednesday, September 23
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Monday, September 21