FAYETTE, Iowa - The Peacocks open the 2026 season by racing in the 53rd Luther All-American Invitational on Saturday in Decorah. The meet takes place at 11:45 a.m. at the Luther Cross Country Course. Nate Rucker enters his 15th season as the head coach of Upper Iowa's women's cross-country team.
MEET THE PEACOCKS: RETURNERS
UIU returns four athletes from last year's team: junior Jaydin Dettman, senior Rio Johnson, senior Katie Kraft and sophomore Lisbeth Trinidad-Valerio.
"Having the returners back is a great thing. It helps to have their presence around as they've done this for three to four years," Rucker said.
Kraft competed in three races last season with a season-best time of 22:56.0 and a 10th-place finish at the Sauk Valley Invitational (Ill.). Johnson's best time last season came during the 5K at the Hannibal-LaGrange Trojan Invitational (Mo.) when she ran 31:01.9. Dettman returns to the team after being away from the sport for two years due to injury. Her career-best time came during the 2024 Wartburg John Kurtt Invite, when she finished the 5K with a time of 23:07.30.
"Katie returning is great, being the top returner from last year," Rucker said. "Thrilled to have Jaydin back as she has been unable to compete for the past few years. Rio's also looked strong during practice, so I'm excited to see what this group can do."
MEET THE PEACOCKS: NEWCOMERS
The cross country team adds four new faces to its roster, with three freshmen in Maya Gonzalez, Merrin Hanson and Kora McCollough. The lone transfer is Olivia Hamblin, who came from Wartburg. She last raced in 2020, when she took 37th with a season-best 5K time of 22.22.20 at the Wartburg John Kurtt Triangular.
"Olivia, having been away from the sport for a few years, has looked really solid," Rucker said. "Maya and Merrin have both looked good so far as well. I think we're going to have a nice group of runners this year."
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE:
After this weekend's meet, the Peacocks hit the road to race in the Sauk Valley Skyhawk Invite on Oct. 3. Upper Iowa then wraps up the regular season at the Luther Legends Invite on Oct.10, before competing in the GLVC Championships on Nov. 7. UIU ends the 2026 campaign at the NCAA Midwest Regionals on Nov. 21.
"Luther is a great meet to start the season, as it's close to home and less pressure-filled," Rucker said. "The Sauk Valley is one that we feel we can win because we took second there last year. The Legends Invite should be another good one to prepare us for the conference championships."
LUTHER ALL-AMERICAN INVITATIONAL INFORMATION
Free parking for fans is available next to the Ashmore-Jewell Barn, as well as in the Farwell, City Swimming Pool and Library parking lots. Fans are not permitted to park at the Gerdin Fieldhouse, as the area is reserved for team buses and vans. Pets are not allowed at the meet.
The course is surrounded by scenic woods and prairies and features a variety of terrain, including flat areas, hills, mowed grass and dirt. Results will be available on Wayzata Timing. The team champion will receive an award, along with awards for the top 15 individual runners.
