BETHPAGE, N.Y. – The Sarah Lawrence College cross country teams opened the 2026 season on Friday, September 4 at the Panthers XC Invite, hosted by Adelphi University, with the Gryphons competing against a strong field to begin the 2026 campaign.

The Sarah Lawrence women finished 16th with 424 points, while the men placed 18th with 526 points.

In the women's 6K, Whitney Hall led the Gryphons in her season debut, finishing 72nd overall in 28:42.7. Isabella Moya followed in 92nd place with a time of 33:00.2.

Haley Balka and Ella Langford crossed the finish line in 108th and 109th place, respectively. Balka recorded a time of 38:39.6, while Langford finished in 39:04.9. Kenedy Nutter rounded out the Sarah Lawrence scoring in 113th place, clocking in at 40:12.9 in her collegiate debut.

On the men's side, Gavin Wright paced the Gryphons in the 8K, finishing 132nd overall in 36:49.0. Thomas Matoni followed in 142nd place with a time of 38:33.6, while Ivo Duwin crossed in 145th at 39:41.2.

Aiden Morel and Hezekiah McCoy completed the team scoring, finishing 152nd and 153rd, respectively. Morel posted a time of 43:28.6, while McCoy finished just behind in 43:28.9. McCoy made his collegiate debut for the Gryphons.

The Gryphons will look to build on their season-opening performances when they return to action on Saturday, September 12, at the Purchase College Invitational. The meet is scheduled to begin at 11:00 a.m. in Stony Brook, N.Y.