Ely’s cross country teams both boast experience and talent going into the new year.
Senior Molly Brophy will begin her quest for a sixth straight girls state meet berth during the 2026 season, which starts with Thursday’s Rock Ridge Invitational at Virginia, and teammate Mattie Lindsay boasts previous state credentials as well.
On the boys’ side, Ely has two athletes - Wyatt Devine and Blake Houde - who were among the section’s best in 2025.
This season has been a work in progress for longtime head coach Jayne Dusich, who has led the program since its inception in the mid-1990s and has guided dozens of Ely runners to state.
The Timberwolves began workouts a couple weeks ago, but summer jobs, injuries and other conflicts have prevented them from fully meshing yet.
Dusich said Ely should field strong teams “when they all get here,” and both varsity teams are coming off strong in their 2025 campaigns and bringing back returning talent.
Brophy will head a strong girls team but her return to the lineup hinges on recovery from a knee injury.
“She’s injured now,” said Dusich, who added that Brophy could miss the season- opener. “We’re hoping Molly gets back. She just needs some time off and to do her exercises.”
Lindsay, a junior, just missed qualifying for state a year ago and placed 13th in Section 7A.
She’ll team with a healthy Brophy to give the Wolves a powerful one-two punch at the top of the lineup.
2026 Ely Cross Country Schedule
Thursday: at Rock Ridge Invite, Sept. 10: at Greenway Invite Sept. 22: at Grand Rapids Invite Sept. 29: at Deer River Invite Oct 3: at Swain Meet, Duluth,, 10 a.m.
Oct 8: Ely Invite
Oct. 13: at Iron Range Conference Meet, Hoyt Lakes, 3:30 p.m. Oct. 29: at Section 7A Meet, Eagle Ridge, Coleraine, noon
Home meet in bold
Meets at 4 p.m. unless noted
Katie Brophy is back after taking 40th in the section, and the Wolves should have good depth with the return of Isabella Macho, Peyson Kundinger and Lillie O’Neill.
The Ely boys were sixth in the section in 2025 and could jump this fall with Devine and Houde setting the pace.
Devine was on track for a state bid last fall when an injury curtailed his section meet run.
Houde, who is back for his junior season, took 22nd in the section last year.
Others in the varsity boys mix include Oliver Hohenstein, Mason Kurnava, Aksel Skustad, Oren Solum and Grant Chittum, while adding to the depth is Dusich’s sophomore contingent of Grady Anderson, Emory Hohenstein, Liam Kurnava, Trynn Weisinger and Kosiah Bridell.
The Wolves are on the road for most of the year but will host a dozen other opponents Oct. 8 for the lone home meet, which will be held at the Ely Golf Course.
