Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Jeff Drenth Memorial
Kian Wiles wins Jeff Drenth Memorial in Season Opener
9/4/2026 1:13:00 PM | Men's XC, Women's XC
Six women posted personal best times to earn third place
Results
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University men's and women's cross country teams opened the 2026 season at the Jeff Drenth Memorial hosted by Central Michigan University at Shepherd High School Friday, Sept. 4, with the Eagles' women placing third out of nine teams and senior Kian Wiles claiming the individual title in the men's 5K.
How It Happened - Men
On the men's side, Eastern did not field enough runners to post an official team score — five finishers are required — but the three Eagles who competed made their presence felt. Wiles (Hull, England/St. Mary's College) delivered one of the meet's defining performances, winning the men's 5K outright with a personal-best time of 14:56.2. Central Michigan won the men's team title with 28 points.
Isaac Garcia (Greely, Colo./South County High School) finished 17th overall in 16:07.3, and Nicholas Kline (Grand Rapids, Mich./Kenowa Hills High School) placed 29th in 16:49.1.
How It Happened - Women
The EMU women's team turned in a strong season-opening effort, finishing third in the women's 5K with 62 points behind host Central Michigan University (1st, 25 points) and Western Michigan University (2nd, 50 points). Eastern outscored six other programs in the nine-team field, including Cornerstone (Mich.) (4th, 89 points), Alma (5th, 174), Muskegon (Mich.) CC (6th, 175), Grand Rapids (Mich.) CC (7th, 187), North Central Michigan (8th, 226) and Bay (MI) (9th, 283). Four Eagles set personal bests on the day, a promising sign heading into the rest of the 2026 campaign.
Christiana Coleman (Pompano Beach, Fla./Dillard/Florida) led the charge, placing seventh overall in the women's 5K with a time of 18:26.6 — matching her career-best cross country 5K mark. Right behind her, Sophie Emin (Easton, Pa./Easton Area/Rutgers) crossed in eighth place with a personal-best 18:28.0. Kaiya Fujioka (Whitby, Ontario/Brooklin) made an impressive collegiate debut, finishing 14th in 18:47.1. Erika Van Loton (Garden City, Mich./Huron Valley Lutheran) placed 16th with a personal-best 18:58.6, and Frankie Moore (Columbia, Md./Oakland Mills) was right behind in 17th with a personal-best 18:58.9. Kaelyn Becken (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) ran her first collegiate race, finishing 18th in 18:59.8. Liv Hatch (Valparaiso, Ind./Valparaiso) rounded out the Eagles' scorers in 32nd with a time of 19:46.2.
Up Next
Eastern heads to East Lansing, Mich., for the Spartan Invitational Friday, Sept. 11, hosted by Michigan State University. The women run at 9 a.m., followed by the men at 9:30 a.m.
Follow Us
For updates on all things EMU cross country/track & field, continue to check EMUEagles.com or follow the team on Instagram, X, and Facebook at @EMUXC_TF
Men's Individual Results
Denotes Personal-Best*
1. Kian Wiles – 14:56.2*
17. Isaac Garcia – 16:07.3
29. Nicholas Kline – 16:49.1
Women's Team Results
1. Central Michigan – 25 Points
2. Western Michigan – 50 Points
3. Eastern Michigan – 62 Points
4. Cornerstone (Mich.) – 89 Points
5. Alma – 174 Points
6. Muskegon (Mich.) CC – 175 Points
7. Grand Rapids (Mich.) CC – 187 Points
8. North Central Michigan – 226 Points
9. Bay (MI) – 283 Points
Women's Individual Results
Denotes Personal-Best*
7. Christiana Coleman – 18:26.6*
8. Sophie Emin – 18:28.0*
14. Kaiya Fujioka – 18:47.1
16. Erika Van Loton – 18:58.6*
17. Frankie Moore – 18:58.9*
18. Kaelyn Becken – 18:59.8*
32. Liv Hatch – 19:46.2
