Cross Country Announces 2026 Season Slate
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Aug. 14, 2026) – South Carolina Cross Country has officially revealed the 2026 season slate on Friday, announcing the seven-meet schedule.
The Gamecocks are coming off the best season in program history in which they posted a third-place finish at the SEC Championship, turned in a runner-up result at the NCAA Southeast Regional and earned the program’s first ever team bid into the NCAA Cross Country Championship. In addition, all four Gamecocks that earned a spot on the All-District Team are back for the 2026 campaign. Salma Elbadra headlines the returners as she also landed on the All-American squad after placing 28th individually at the NCAA Championship.
South Carolina will open its schedule in Spartanburg, S.C. at the Eye Opener hosted by USC Upstate on Friday, Sept. 4. The course used for the Eye Opener will also be the host site for the 2026 NCAA Southeast Regional on Friday, Nov. 13. Two weeks after the season opener, the Gamecocks will travel to Raleigh, N.C. on Friday, Sept. 18 to compete in the Adidas XC Challenge for the second consecutive season.
South Carolina will conclude the four-meet regular season schedule in October with a pair of events on the road. The Garnet & Black will take part in the Joe Piane XC Invite in South Bend, Ind. on Friday, Oct. 2 before traveling to Tuscaloosa, Ala. for the Crimson Classic on Friday, Oct. 16.
This year’s edition of the SEC Cross Country Championship will be held on Friday, Oct. 30 in Columbia, Mo., the site of the 2025 NCAA Championship that saw the Gamecocks finish 15th overall.
South Carolina aims to return to the NCAA Championship this season on Saturday, Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind.
