Women's Cross Country Hosted by Jacksonville State

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After opening the 2026 season with a local meet hosted by Vanderbilt, Belmont Cross Country travels to Huntsville, Ala. on Friday, Sept. 18 to compete at the yearly Southern Showcase.

Over 60 schools with be in attendance at John Hunt running park, including top competitors such as Auburn, Alabama, and Clemson. The race will give Belmont the opportunity for high-level competition early on in the season. 

Coach Grant O'Callaghan says, "We really view this as the actual start of the competitive season, it's our first chance to test where we're at against really good competition."

He notes that the team, both men and women, have been very motivated to improve since the Vanderbilt Opener, and they're looking forward to hitting the starting line. "This group is young and hungry. I don't think they really care who they're lined up against, they're here to run their best and compete hard. The Southern Showcase gives them a chance to practice running in a big race, and sticking to the plan in a more chaotic environment. I'm looking forward to seeing the competitiveness come out of our athletes."

The women's invitational 5K is scheduled to begin at 8:10 a.m. CST, following the men's race at 7:30 a.m.
 
What's Bruin

• Returner Sophie Nicholls and newcomer Isabella Harte finished on top for the Bruins at the Vanderbilt Opener on Sept. 1.
• The Bruins' 16-person squad is comprised of 9 returners and 7 newcomers.
• Belmont will race two seniors in Huntsville, Clara Crain and Carson Wasemiller.
• All 11 Bruins who competed at the Vanderbilt Opener finished in the top 30.

 
How to Follow
Follow Belmont Track & Field and Cross Country on social media - @BelmontXCTF on X, formerly Twitter, @belmontxctf and @belmontmxc on Instagram, and @BUXCTF on Facebook for complete coverage of the Bruins. Stay up to date with all of Belmont's athletic programs via the official app of the Belmont Bruins, available both in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.