AUSTIN, Texas – St. Edward's University head cross country coach Chase Rathke has announced the Hilltoppers' 2026 cross country schedule, featuring eight meets, including the Lone Star Conference Championships, NCAA South Central Regional Championships and, potentially, the NCAA Division II National Championships.
The season begins close to home on
Sept. 4 as the Hilltoppers compete at the Floyd Farms Invitational in Austin. One week later, St. Edward's travels to College Station for the Texas A&M Invitational on
Sept. 11, providing an early-season opportunity to compete against a strong field.
After a brief break, the Hilltoppers split their squad on
Oct. 3. Part of the team will compete at the nationally recognized Chile Pepper Festival in Fayetteville, Arkansas, while another group races at the Southwestern Showdown in Georgetown, Texas.
St. Edward's returns to action on
Oct. 17 at the DBU Old Glory Gallop in Dallas for its final tune-up before championship season.
The postseason begins with the
Lone Star Conference Championships on
Nov. 7 in Lubbock, Texas. Two weeks later, the Hilltoppers return to Lubbock for the
NCAA South Central Regional Championships on
Nov. 21, where teams and individuals will compete for a berth in the national meet.
The season concludes on
Dec. 5 at the
NCAA Division II National Championships in Lawrence, Kansas.
The Hilltoppers enter the season looking to continue building under Rathke's leadership as both the men's and women's programs prepare to compete against some of the top competition in Texas, the Lone Star Conference and the South Central Region.
2026 St. Edward's Cross Country Schedule
| Date |
Meet |
Location |
| Sept. 4 |
Floyd Farms Invitational |
Austin, Texas |
| Sept. 11 |
Texas A&M Invitational |
College Station, Texas |
| Oct. 3 |
Chile Pepper Festival |
Fayetteville, Arkansas |
| Oct. 3 |
Southwestern Showdown |
Georgetown, Texas |
| Oct. 17 |
DBU Old Glory Gallop |
Dallas, Texas |
| Nov. 7 |
Lone Star Conference Championships |
Lubbock, Texas |
| Nov. 21 |
NCAA South Central Regional Championships |
Lubbock, Texas |
| Dec. 5 |
NCAA Division II National Championships |
Lawrence, Kansas |
