The UNC Asheville cross country program has announced its 2026 schedule, focusing on team development and early previews of the conference course. The season opens on September 4 with the Duel in the Valley in Bryson City, where the Bulldogs aim to replicate last year's success against Western Carolina. Key competitions include the Southeast Regional Kick-Off on September 19 and the Big South Conference Championships on October 30. The team, blending experience with new talent, is set to build on last year's promising results, including a women's runner-up finish at the Big South Championships.

By the Numbers
  • The women's team finished as the runner-up at the 2025 Big South Championships, their highest position since 2004.
  • The men's team placed third overall, marking UNC Asheville's best combined finish in 25 years.
State of Play
  • The Bulldogs will compete at four regular-season meets prior to the championship events.
  • Key returning athletes include Jan M谩lek and Aneta Kucerov谩, who performed well last season and received All-Conference honors.
What's Next

As the season progresses, the team aims to build confidence and experience to position themselves as a top competitor in the Big South Conference and prepare effectively for the NCAA Regionals.

Bottom Line

With a mix of returning talent and newcomers, the Bulldogs are set to make significant strides this season, focusing on consistency and improvement as they challenge for top positions in both the conference and regional events.