Tennessee collegiate cross country seasons begin

Collegiate cross country programs in Tennessee are beginning their 2026 seasons with upcoming meets in Cookeville and Memphis.

Austin Peay State University’s men’s and women’s teams will compete at Tennessee Tech’s Golden Eagle Invitational at the Putnam Country Sports Complex. The women’s 4K race is scheduled for Friday morning, followed by the men’s 6K. The Austin Peay men’s roster features Tahmar Upshaw, a redshirt senior who previously set the T46 800-meter World Record.

Middle Tennessee State University will open its season at the Memphis Twilight Classic at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex. The women’s race is set for Saturday night at 9:20 p.m., with the men’s race following at 10 p.m. The Blue Raiders men enter the season as defending Conference USA champions, led by returning athletes such as Allan Kiplagat, who was named the previous year's XC Athlete of the Year.