MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois men's and women's cross country teams have announced their 2026 competition schedule, a six-meet slate that will lead into the Ohio Valley Conference Championships and NCAA Midwest Regional.

The Leathernecks begin the season on Friday, Sept. 4, traveling to DeKalb, Illinois, for the Husky Opener, hosted by Northern Illinois. Two weeks later, Western Illinois heads to Terre Haute, Indiana, to compete in the John McNichols Invitational, hosted by Indiana State.

October opens with one of the premier meets on the schedule as the Leathernecks travel to South Bend, Indiana, for the Joe Piane Invitational, hosted by Notre Dame, on Friday, Oct. 2. Western Illinois will then make its final regular-season appearance at Bradley's Pink Classic in Peoria, Illinois, on Friday, Oct. 16.

The postseason begins on Friday, Oct. 30, when the Leathernecks travel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, for the OVC Cross Country Championship, hosted by Southeast Missouri. Western Illinois will close out the season on Friday, Nov. 13, at the NCAA Midwest Cross Country Regional, hosted by Iowa State in Ames, Iowa.

2026 Western Illinois Men's & Women's Cross Country Schedule

Friday, Sept. 4
Husky Opener (Hosted by Northern Illinois)
DeKalb, Ill. | 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 19
John McNichols Invitational (Hosted by Indiana State)
Terre Haute, Ind. | 10 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 2
Joe Piane Invitational (Hosted by Notre Dame)
South Bend, Ind. | Noon

Friday, Oct. 16
Pink Classic (Hosted by Bradley)
Peoria, Ill. | 9 a.m.

Friday, Oct. 30
OVC Cross Country Championship (Hosted by Southeast Missouri)
Cape Girardeau, Mo. | 10 a.m.

Friday, Nov. 13
NCAA Midwest Cross Country Regional (Hosted by Iowa State)
Ames, Iowa | 10 a.m.

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