GEORGETOWN, TEXAS – The Southwestern University men's and women's cross country teams are set to hit the trails this fall, as head coach and the Pirates announced the 2026 competition schedule. The four-meet regular season slate features three meets in Central Texas before the Pirates begin postseason competition at the Southern Athletic Association Championships and the NCAA West Regional.

The season gets underway on Saturday, Sept. 5, when Southwestern co-hosts the Stormy Seas Opener alongside Concordia University Texas. Both the men's and women's teams will compete in 5K races to open the season.

Two weeks later, on Saturday, Sept. 19, the Pirates travel to Kerrville, Texas, for the Mountaineer Hill Country Invitational, hosted by Schreiner University. The women will race a 6K course while the men compete in an 8K.

Southwestern returns home on Saturday, Oct. 3, to host the SU Showdown, giving the Pirates an opportunity to race in front of their home crowd. The women will once again compete in a 6K, while the men race an 8K.

The final tune-up before the conference championship comes on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Old Glory Gallup, hosted by Dallas Baptist University. The women will compete in a 5K race, while the men take on another 8K course.

Postseason competition begins on Saturday, Oct. 31, as the Pirates travel to Sewanee, Tennessee, for the Southern Athletic Association Championships. The women will race 6K, and the men will compete in the championship 8K.

Teams qualifying for postseason advancement will continue their season on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the NCAA Division III West Regional in Spokane, Washington. The regional championships feature a 6K race for the women and an 8K race for the men, with national championship berths on the line.

The 2026 schedule provides the Pirates with a balanced mix of early-season opportunities, a home meet, and championship-caliber competition as Southwestern prepares for another exciting cross country campaign.