Sept. 22, 2026 – North Central College men's cross country junior Ari Elmayan was named this week's College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Runner of the Week after turning in a top 10 performance at the Gil Dodds Invitational on Friday.
 
The Gil Dodds Invite featured 19 programs, seven of which are CCIW member institutions. Elmayan's sixth-place finish made him the highest-placing runner in the CCIW in a time of 25:21.8.
 
The effort marks a personal best time for Elmayan at St. James Farm by nearly two minutes. Elmayan currently holds the third-fastest 8K time in the CCIW this season, behind teammates BJ Sorg and Daniel Kasperan.

Elmayan's Runner of the Week selection is the second for the Cardinals this season as Sorg earned the distinction on Sept. 8.
 
North Central returns to action Oct. 3 and will send a group to the Greater Louisville Cross Country Classic, hosted by the University of Louisville, and another group to the Brissman-Lundeen Invitational, hosted by Augustana College.