Bennett Melita opened the 2026 season in impressive fashion, winning the individual title at the SUNY Poly Wildcat Short Course Invitational with a time of 19:26.1 over the 6,000-meter course. Melita’s victory helped lead the Pioneers to their fifth consecutive team title at the event as Utica placed five runners among the top six finishers. The individual victory marked Melita’s third consecutive win at the SUNY Poly Short Course Invitational and the 10th individual victory of his career.