CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Experience at the front of both lineups and an influx of newcomers will provide a foundation for the Campbellsville University men's and women's cross country teams as they open the 2026 season Friday at the Panther Prowl XC Classic in Owensboro.

The men's team enters the season led by seniors Samuel Larson and Aaron Smith. Smith returns after qualifying for the 2025 NAIA Cross Country National Championship and competing in the NAIA Marathon Classic. He placed 201st at the national cross country meet before finishing ninth in the marathon with a time of 2:32:42.

Larson also brings national-level experience after placing 19th at last season's NCCAA Cross Country Championship. He helped Campbellsville finish third in the men's team standings at the event.

"We're excited about the upcoming cross country season," head coach Mark Miller said. "We have leadership on the men's side led by Sam Larson and Aaron Smith. Smith qualified last year for the NAIA Cross Country Championship and in the marathon."

Smith and Larson are two of four seniors on the 13-runner men's roster, joining Ethan Johnson and freshman transfer Brian Kemboi. The Tigers also return Austin Barnes, Corbin Hale, Matthew Mattingly, Lance Powell, and Dustin Ralph.

Miller expects freshmen Kelly Drew, Elijah Johnson, Wyatt Lawson, and Tyler Wilkerson to compete for roles during their first collegiate season.

"Incoming freshmen Drew Kelly, Eli Johnson, Tyler Wilkerson, and Wyatt Lawson can make contributions," Miller said.

Campbellsville's women's team returns a veteran group after losing only one runner from last season. Seniors Brianna Collins and Maggie Jewell headline an 11-runner roster that includes seven sophomores or upperclassmen.

Karly Spalding, Amelia Larson, Julia Smaldone, Shelby Paige, and Becca Stringer also return. Jewell, Larson, Smaldone, and Spalding each competed at the 2025 NCCAA Cross Country Championship, where Spalding led the returning group with a 29th-place finish.

Sophomore transfer Austyn Hansen joins the returning group, while freshmen Roxanne Bogardus, Claire Goff, and Ava Groves give the Tigers additional depth.

"For our ladies, we return all but one, so we have a nice core returning," Miller said. "We also have a freshman group of Ava Groves, Roxanne Bogardus, and Claire Goff that will add to our depth. We're looking to improve on last year's Mid-South Conference placement and NCCAA finish."

Friday's season opener begins a six-meet regular-season and postseason schedule. Following the Panther Prowl, Campbellsville will compete at the Midway University Invitational on Sept. 18 and the Louisville Cross Country Classic on Oct. 3. The Tigers' final tuneup before the postseason will be the NAIA Great Lakes Challenge on Oct. 24 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Mid-South Conference Championship is scheduled for Nov. 6 at Phil Moore Park in Bowling Green. The NCCAA Cross Country Championship will follow on Nov. 13 in Joplin, Missouri, with the NAIA Cross Country National Championship scheduled for Nov. 20 in Vancouver, Washington.