COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi cross country team officially kicks off the 2026 season on Friday evening, getting things going at the Aggie Opener, hosted by Texas A&M.
The action for the Islanders at the Watts Cross Country Course starts at 6:45 p.m. with the women's two-mile race and continues right after with the men's 5k. The meet consists of eight different teams, including the host Aggies along with Big 12 schools Houston and Baylor, among others.
"I am beyond excited to start this season," Islanders head coach
Bryan Jackson said. "We have a talented group on both the men's and women's sides. Tomorrow we won't see our full team yet, but it will be a great look at what our depth looks like. Athletes are going to get a shot to have an impact in our top five who might not have had the opportunity yet."
A&M-Corpus Christi starts its journey in 2026 as one of the main contenders in the Southland Conference, having been tabbed in second place in the preseason poll on both the men's and women's sides. The biggest name to watch in the blue and green is junior
Elizabeth Khatevi, who returns after having the greatest women's cross country season in Islanders history in 2025, winning both the SLC and NCAA South Central Regional Championships before then finishing 46
th at the NCAA Championships to set a new program best. Her last time racing at the Watts Cross Country Course also saw her take home the individual title, as she won first place at the Arturo Barrios Invitational back on October 18 of last year.
Along with Khatevi, the Islanders bring back three more points scorers from the conference championships on the women's side, with those being
Phylis Kibet,
Faith Ramos and
Embla Hreimsdottir. As for the men, they bring back three points scorers themselves in First Team All-Conference selections
Mathayo Bundotich and
Dominic Kiptum and junior
Diego Canto.
The live results for the Aggie Opener will be available to follow along as they happen.
Meet 4 // A&M-Corpus Christi at Aggie Opener
Date: Friday, September 4
Time: 6:45 p.m. CT (women) // 7:15 p.m. CT (men)
Location: Watts Cross Country Course // College Station, Texas
Live Results
Socials:
@IslandersTFXC (IG) //
@IslandersTFXC (X)
#ShakasUp
