Forsyth And Hough Named B1G Cross Country Runners To Watch

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State cross country runners Sarah Forsyth and Riley Hough were named to the Big Ten Cross Country Runners To Watch List, announced Wednesday by the conference office. The watch lists were determined by the league's head coaches.

Forsyth, a graduate from Ann Arbor, Michigan, had a strong senior season for the Spartans. She finished 17th at the Nuttycombe Invitational with a 6k time of 21:42.2. She set a PR in the 6k in the 2024 Big Ten Championship with a time 21.06.4.

Hough, a graduate from Hartland, Michigan, fought through injuries last season and looks to return to form in 2026. Last season, he helped the Spartans to a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Great Lakes Regional in Evansville, Indiana. Hough has earned All-Region honors the last two seasons. In 2025, he also was the runner-up at the Big Ten Championship held in East Lansing.

The MSU cross country teams open the season on Friday, Sept. 11 at the Spartan Invitational in East Lansing, Michigan.

This season, Michigan State will also host the NCAA Great Lakes Regional on Friday, Nov. 13. Both the Spartan Invitational and the NCAA Great Lakes Regional will be held at Forest Akers East Golf Course.

2026 Big Ten Men's Cross Country Runners to Watch
Adam Patel, Jr., Illinois
Tony Provenzano, Jr., Indiana
Miles Wilson, Sr., Iowa
Nathan Lopez, Sr., Michigan
Riley Hough, Gr, Michigan State
Emmett Gerres, Jr., Minnesota
Rico Leijenaar, So., Nebraska
Noah Sharp, Sr., Ohio State
Evan Bishop, Gr., Oregon
Nick Sloff, Sr., Penn State
Douglas Buckeridge, Gr., Purdue
Micah Lawson, Sr., Rutgers
Andreas Dybdahl, So., UCLA
Theodor Schucht, Jr., Washington
Christian de Vaal, Sr., Wisconsin

2026 Big Ten Women's Cross Country Runners to Watch
Kennady Anderson, Jr., Illinois
Katy Zang, Fr., Indiana
Hillary Trainor, Jr., Iowa
Rose Coats, Sr., Maryland
Penelopea Gordon, Gr., Michigan
Sarah Forsyth, Gr., Michigan State
Ali Weimer, Gr., Minnesota
Ali Bainbridge, Sr., Nebraska
Ava Criniti, Jr., Northwestern
Audrey DeSantis, Gr., Ohio State
Diana Cherotich, So., Oregon
Charlotte Costich, Gr., Penn State
Lauren Pegher, Jr., Purdue
Kelseigh O'Neil, Jr., Rutgers
Olivia Foody, Jr., UCLA
Holli Prest, Jr., USC
Julia David-Smith, Gr., Washington
Mikaela Helling, Sr., Wisconsin

Michigan State University Athletics

Forsyth And Hough Named B1G Cross Country Runners To Watch

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Sarah Forsyth

Riley Hough

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