DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central opens the 2026 men's and women's cross country season Friday night at the Elon Opener in Elon, N.C. The women's 4K race begins at 8:15 p.m. followed by the men's 6K race at 8:45 p.m. on the Elon Cross Country Course.
THE PARTICIPANTS
The Eagles will run against Campbell, Catawba, Coastal Carolina, Davidson, East Carolina, Elon, Gardner-Webb, High Point, Meredith (women), North Carolina A&T, Queens Charlotte, Shaw, UNC Greensboro (women), UNC Wilmington, USC Sumter and Winthrop.
LIVE RESULTS
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HERE to follow the meet.
ABOUT NCCU
- Navi McDowell is the only returning runner for the NCCU women. Last year, McDowell helped the Eagles place third at the MEAC Cross County Championships. She finished 12th individually to earn All-MEAC honors.
- Sharon Magut is back after running cross country in 2024. Magut and newcomers Noni Wise, Kari Parker and Cynthia Koech will compete with McDowell at Elon. Koech transferred from Division II Lane where she won the SIAC women's individual title.
- Aaron Alukunyang is expected to lead the NCCU men. During the 2026 outdoor track & field season, Alukunyang captured MEAC crowns in the 1500-meter, 5000-meter and 10,000-meter runs at the conference championships. He scored 30 points for the Eagles and was named MEAC Most Outstanding Men's Track Athlete at the meet.
- The Eagles return Ryan Chong and Evans Kimutai, who both helped NCCU finish third at the MEAC Cross Country Championships last year. Caleb Martin and Ryan Montgomery joined the men's team this season.
LAST TIME AT ELON OPENER
It has been five years since the Eagles last appeared at the Elon Opener. Both the NCCU women's and men's teams placed 10
th in the 4K and 6K races, respectively, in 2021.
For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.
