The Oklahoma Baptist University men's and women's cross country teams have unveiled their 2026 schedules, featuring events at four universities and culminating with the Great American Conference Championships. The season kicks off on September 3 with the 鈥淒istance After Dark鈥� meet in Tulsa. The Bison women are coming off a third-place finish in last year's 5k event while the men placed fourth in the four-mile run. Notable upcoming events include the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree on September 23 and the Chile Pepper Festival on October 3. The season concludes with the GAC Championships on November 7, moving to Enid this time.

By the Numbers
  • The Bison women finished third out of 10 teams in the 5k event last season.
  • Oklahoma Baptist University's men's team qualified for the NCAA National Championship for the first time after finishing seventh at the NCAA Central Regional.
State of Play
  • The Bison will participate in the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree for the first time since 2016.
  • The men's team has three top-10 finishers returning from last season, which provides a strong competitive outlook.
What's Next

The Bison are gearing up for a season aimed at improving their standings from last year, with key performances expected at high-profile events like the Chile Pepper Festival and GAC Championships. There is also anticipation for another solid showing at the NCAA Central Regional in November.

Bottom Line

The 2026 cross country season presents a crucial opportunity for Oklahoma Baptist University to build on their recent successes, aiming for improved performances at both conference and national levels.