- The Aggies begin at home for the first time since 2021.
- The race features free admission at Watts Cross Country Course.
- This marks the first of four home meets this season.
COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M men’s and women’s cross country teams kickoff their 2026 season at home in the Aggie Opener on Friday, Sept. 4 at the Watts Cross Country Course.
The women will compete in a 2-mile race beginning at 6:45 p.m., followed by the men’s 5K at 7:15 p.m. The Watts Cross Country Course welcomes eight teams, featuring local, national and international talent from colleges across Texas.
The women’s team placed 6th at the 2025 SEC Championships before claiming the NCAA South Central Regional Championship with 71 points. Five of the team’s top seven from the regional-winning squad return this season, along with Kennady Fontenot and Emma Little, who both redshirted in 2025. The Aggies also add national standout freshman Laney Barnes of Cypress, Texas, who finished 31st at the 2025 Nike Cross Nationals. The women will field a nearly full team to content for the win.
On the men’s side, the team also finished 6th at the 2025 SEC Championships and took 3rd at the NCAA South Central Regional Championship with 83 points. Four of the team’s top seven from last year’s SEC Championship squad return, while newcomers Michael Moiben and Alessandro Pasquinucci provide additional firepower as the Aggies look to challenge for the 2026 SEC title. The men’s team will field six athletes looking to compete for the win: Jack Johnston, Aiden Gonzalez-Rodiles, Zack Munger, Noah Willows, Hunter Jackson, and Gavin Chapa.
At the two home meets in 2025, the men’s team remained undefeated, recording eight top-10 finishes. The women’s team also had a strong showing, earning four top-10 finishes and placing first and third, respectively. With the Aggies hosting four home meets this season, they will look to prolong their impressive form at home through 2026.
The Aggie Opener will host eight teams from across Texas, including local rivals Houston and Baylor, as well as Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, who return NCAA South Central Champion Elizabeth Khatevi.
Fans can follow the meet results through Flash Results Aggie Opener and all home meets are free to the public.
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