SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Drury cross country opens its 2026 season at the Bearcat Invite, hosted by Southwest Baptist, Saturday morning.
 
The Panthers open the season at the Bearcat Invite, where the women finished fourth and the men placed 10th last season. The men's 6K is set for 7 a.m., while the women's 5K follows at 7:30 a.m. Drury then stays in Springfield for the Queen City After Dark at Allison Sports Town on Sept. 11. 
 
Drury hits the road for the Brian T. Simpson Invite, hosted by Central Missouri, on Oct. 10. A week later, the Panthers travel to Dallas, Texas, for the Old Glory Gallop, hosted by Dallas Baptist.
 
Drury opens postseason competition by hosting the men's and women's GLVC Cross Country Championships on Nov. 7. The NCAA Division II Midwest Regional is set for Nov. 21 in Kenosha, Wis., followed by the NCAA Division II National Championship on Dec. 5. 
 
STORYLINES

• The USTFCCCA released its regional and national coaches' polls earlier this week, with the Drury men ranked No. 7 in the Midwest Region and receiving votes nationally.
• National qualifier Tyler Harris returns for his senior season after breaking the program's 8K and 10K records last season.
• Harris finished runner-up at last season's GLVC Championships.
• On the women's side, Cera Eckenroth returns after earning All-Region honors as a sophomore. 
• Luka Karamitros is in his third season leading the cross country programs. 

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