STEVENSON, Md.— With a tight pack led by Joshua Knox-Wagner, Eastern University Men's Cross Country raced to an eighth-place finish at the 2026 MAC Championships hosted by Stevenson University. Eastern's top five runners finished within 52 seconds. The Eagles had five racers run personal-best times over the eight kilometer course. 

Knox-Wagner missed an All-MAC spot by a single place. The sophomore dropped 14 seconds of his previous best time and passed 23 runners over the final 6.4 kilometers of racing. He finished in 31st place. Twenty-five seconds later, Robert Walton crossed the line. The senior ran just off his season-best time to finish 47th. 

A few seconds later, Anthony Zamichieli, Kayden Hovermale, and Matthew Schilling came through for the Eagles. Zamichieli ran a strong race despite being off with injury for nearly six weeks. He ran the course at Stevenson nearly ninety seconds faster than he did at the MAC Preview meet in September. Hovermale also set a PR. The first-year took 58 seconds off his career-best at the distance and nearly two full minutes off his time from the Preview. Schilling also ran a career-best time.

Malachi Wilson and Rylan Weiant also ran personal-best times as the Eagles improved their position throughout the race. Levi Weir came through in 29:16. Despite losing a First-Team All-MAC performer in Ryle Mellinger, the Eagles only dipped one spot off their 2025 finish.

"What I saw on the course today was true grit, resiliency, and an effort that speaks to who each of these men are on and off the course.," Head Coach Samantha David said after the race. "They show up, work hard, and have fun doing it together. I am proud of their team finish today, and I can't wait to see what Regionals has in store for us."

The Eagles will compete at the NCAA Metro Regiona Championships at Lehigh University in two weeks.