DAYTON, Ohio - The IU Indianapolis women's cross country team will kickoff the 2026 season on Friday night (Sept. 4) when the Jaguars participate in Wright State's Mike Baumer Cross Country Classic at Fairborn Community Park. 

The women's 5K race is slated to begin at 7:00 p.m. 

Head coach Antonio McDaniel's squad boasts just one senior in Grace Bragg, who just missed an All-Horizon League berth last season by placing 15th at the league championship meet. 

Other key returners from last season's squad include sophomores AnnMarie Gibson, Emily Bruns and Kaylynn Bedel, all of whom competed at the Horizon League Championships a season ago. Gibson placed 65th overall at the league championships while Bruns and Bedel were 83rd and 84th, respectively. The Jaguars will also look to fellow sophomores Riley Flynn and Xavery Weisman for key contributions as well as both return from injuries a season ago. 

The cast of newcomers is headlined by Indiana-transfer Ellia Hayes and five talented freshmen from the state of Indiana. 

A full recap and results of Friday's meet will be posted to IUIndyJags.com immediately following the meet.