BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The 2026 Patriot League cross country season begins this weekend, with all 10 men’s and women’s programs set to open competition.
The season culminates with the 2026 Patriot League Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships at Bucknell University on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Men’s Cross Country Season Preview
On the men’s side, the Navy Midshipmen enter the season seeking their sixth straight Patriot League title, which would match the League record for consecutive titles, held by American (2002-07). The Midshipmen return four of their five All-League runners from the 2025 championship; however, they’ll be without Justin Mumford, who was named the Patriot League Men’s Most Outstanding Performer of the Meet last year.
With the individual title up for grabs, Holy Cross’ Joseph Mahon will make a strong push as the senior returns following his third-place finish a season ago.
Only eight of the 14 All-Patriot League runners from 2025 return, setting the stage for several new faces to make their mark at the 2026 Patriot League Championship.
Led by Dan Eike, James Partlow, Max Giardet and Logan Flament, Navy will be the team to beat, but several schools return All-League student-athletes, including Army West Point’s Max Haynia and Adam Furman as well as Bucknell’s Ethan Pratt-Perez.
Women’s Cross Country Season Preview
The defending champion Black Knights enter the 2026 campaign looking to retain the title for the fourth straight year, which would match the Patriot League record for consecutive titles (Army West Point – 1994-97, Bucknell – 1998-2001, 2015-18). Army West Point returns a trio of First Team All-Patriot League runners, including Mikayla Cheney, Louisa Diamond and Alma Lazo Cazares, who finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively, in 2025.
The individual title is anyone’s to win as 2025 individual champion Charlotte Richman graduated following her standout career at the United States Military Academy. While the Black Knight trio vies for the crown, Bucknell returns three All-Patriot League runners of their own. Led by Shaelan McNally, who finished as the runner-up, First Team selection Kailey Granger and Second Team honoree Kate Moncavage look to guide the Bison to their first Patriot League championship since 2018.
Four additional schools return All-League student-athletes from a season ago, including American’s Shealyn Brochu (Second Team), Holy Cross’ Siena Brunetti (First Team), Lehigh’s Grace Hughes (Second Team) and Navy’s Jane Phillips (Second Team) and Lexi Ensor (Second Team).
Experience remains a strength across the women’s programs with 11 of the 14 All-Patriot League runners back in the mix, including six of the seven First Team members.
PATRIOT LEAGUE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The 2026 Patriot League Men's and Women's Cross Country Championships will be held in Lewisburg, Pa. at the Bucknell Golf Club on Saturday, October 31. All 10 men's and women’s programs will compete.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.