LOGAN, UT – Utah State cross country opens its 2026 season this Saturday, September 5, at the Steve and Dona Reeder Cross Country Course, as they host the Utah State Alumni Challenge.  The race is the first of two home meets slated for this fall, with the Steve T. Reeder Memorial Invitational taking place on October 9th.
 
MEET INFORMATION 
Event: Utah State Alumni Challenge
Date: Sept. 5, 2026 
Start: Men's 7K @ 9 a.m.; Women's 5K @ 9:45 a.m. (MT) 
Venue: Steve and Dona Reeder Cross Country Course
Live Results: Lickety Split
Course Maps: 5K Map and 7K Map
 
In the Rankings
Both the men's and women's teams appeared in the USTFCCCA Preseason Mountain Regional Rankings, with the men sitting in the sixth-place spot, while the women are in seventh. The men's squad also received votes in the National Coaches Poll, coming in just two points shy of the top 30 rankings.

"It's nice to be recognized in the preseason rankings, especially for the guys to receive some national votes," said Artie Gulden, USU's Director of Track & Field and Cross Country. "But at the end of the day, these aren't reflective of anything our teams have done this year – just the potential the voters see in us. Hopefully we can race well this Saturday and set a great tone for the rest of the season."
 
New Year, Same Squad
The men's squad boasts an experienced veteran lineup, carrying over 14 of their 17-man roster from 2025, with all seven finishers from the NCAA Mountain Regionals making a return. New additions include Tayshaun Ogomo from the 2025-26 track and field roster and freshman Aidan Neal to round out the roster.

On the women's side, nine newcomers join the Aggie ranks, with six freshmen, two transfers, and a one member of the 2024 team among the new runners. Nine student-athletes return from the 2025 season, with four bringing postseason experience.
 
Last Season
The women's campaign in 2025 was highlighted by an all-conference performance by then-junior, Natalie Swain, who paced the Aggies at the Mountain West Championship, crossing the finish line in 13th place to help the team secure a fourth-place finish. At the NCAA Mountain Regionals, the women finished the 6k race in seventh, scoring 206 points with senior Shelby Jensen and Swain among the Aggies' top performers.
The men's team came away with two victories during the season, winning the Beehive Invitational and Steve T. Reeder Memorial Invitational. Senior Joshua McKee led the field at the Beehive Invitational and was the Aggies' top finisher in four races. The men went on to come fourth in the Mountain West Championship, followed by a sixth-place result at the Mountain Regionals, accumulating 186 points in the competition to finish in the top third of the field.
 
Follow
Fans can follow the Utah State cross country programs on X at USUTF_XC, on Facebook at USUTrack and on Instagram at USUTF_XC. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on X at USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.