The LSU cross country team travels to Columbia, Missouri, this week for the 2026 postseason opener at the SEC Cross Country Championships, hosted at the Gans Creek Cross Country Course on Friday. The women’s SEC title race starts at 10:08 a.m. CT, followed by the men’s race at 10:45 a.m. CT, with live television coverage on the SEC Network beginning at 10:00 a.m. CT featuring commentary from John Anderson and Carrie Tollefson.
Preseason Polls and Prior Meet Finishes for LSU
Conference head coaches projected the LSU women to finish ninth overall with 129 points in the SEC preseason polls, while the men were slated for 13th with 160 points. Those projections follow last year’s conference meet where the women secured fourth place with 149 points and the men finished 13th with 380 points. The women’s roster brings back three scorers from last season: senior Edna Chepkemoi, who finished 13th, Abigael Chemnagei in 27th, and Micaela Villarreal in 50th. Both Chepkemoi and Chemnagei have gone under 20 minutes in the 6k, while Villarreal sits just eight seconds off of the barrier.
Men’s Roster Requirements and Returning Scorers
The LSU men’s squad faces team-scoring thresholds this weekend, requiring all five runners to finish the race for the Tigers to score. Senior Hugh Carlson anchors the lineup as the only returning scorer on the team running this weekend.
Post-Meet Awards and Broadcast Details
Following the conclusion of the races, conference officials will distribute individual and team honors. The All-SEC First Team comprises the top seven finishers, the Second Team covers spots eight through fourteen, and the Third Team includes finishers fifteen through twenty-one. Additionally, the All-Freshman team recognizes the top seven freshman finishers on each side. Fans can track updates through official LSU track and field social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
