Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Marc Hagemeier
Cross Country Announces 2026 Schedule
8/3/2026 2:02:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Women's Cross Country
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Hosting the Patriot League Championship headlines a challenging seven-meet schedule for Bucknell cross country. The Bison host a competition for the first time since 2022, as three of Bucknell's seven meets will be run on the friendly grounds of the campus' golf course. Additionally, both teams will compete in a dual meet—once the sport's standard format—for the first time since 2011.
"I am excited about our cross country schedule," head coach Kevin Donner said. "Running at home three times, including the Patriot League Championships, is very exciting. Competitive invitationals at Penn State and the Paul Short Run at Lehigh will both be a great challenge. Paul Short will be great preparation for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals, which will be held at Lehigh. We always enjoy the IC4A-ECAC Championships, which will be on an unfamiliar course in Long Island, but it is always fun to race someplace new."
The season begins on Sept. 5 with a home dual meet against Lafayette, the first home competition since the 2022 Patriot League Championships. The Bucknell men last competed in a dual meet in 2011 when they fell to Duquesne. The women defeated Duquesne and Pittsburgh in 2011.Â
The dual meet's return is a pleasant development. The Bison men historically dominated the format, once winning 167 straight duals from 1974 to 1990 before a loss to UConn snapped the streak. The Orange & Blue male harriers have not won a dual since defeating Rutgers, Siena, and Syracuse on Sept. 8, 2001 at the Gulden Duals.Â
Bucknell travels to its Central Pennsylvania neighbor and Route 45 Rival Penn State for the annual Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational on Sept. 11. The Bison skipped the competition in 2025. The men finished 15th and the women placed ninth in the 2024 edition.Â
The Bison will rest for three weeks before returning to another meet absent from the 2025 docket in Lehigh's massive Paul Short Run. The Orange & Blue men placed 22nd and the women's squad slotted 20th in 2024. The return to Lehigh gives the Bucknell runners the chance to scout the course for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
Bucknell travels to the Big Apple for the historic and traditional IC4A-ECAC Championships on Oct. 17. A favorite meet of Donner, the Bison have been among the meet's powerhouses, The women won silver and the men placed seventh in 2025.Â
The regular season concludes with the Bucknell Open on Oct. 23. The meet's resurgence allows for a final tune-up and a final race for the non-league roster.Â
Halloween brings a special treat as Bucknell hosts the Patriot League Championships for the first season since 2022. The Bison women finished second in 2025, its highest placement since 2019. The men were fifth. The Bison will host an alumni reunion after the championships.Â
The Orange & Blue harriers return to Bethlehem on Nov. 13 for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships. The women's team finished seventh, the best performance of any Patriot League school and higher than Power Four foes Maryland and Pittsburgh. The men's squadron placed 12th.Â
Along with America250, Bucknell cross country will celebrate several milestones in 2026. During the nation's Bicentennial in 1976, the women's program achieved varsity status while the men's team went 13-0 and captured the ECC title.
Both Bison teams return a wealth of experience and talent. Team captains for the men are Carter Paul and Ethan Pratt-Perez. Kailey Granger and Katie Moncavage helm the women's squad. A team preview will be released in the coming weeks.Â
"I am excited about our cross country schedule," head coach Kevin Donner said. "Running at home three times, including the Patriot League Championships, is very exciting. Competitive invitationals at Penn State and the Paul Short Run at Lehigh will both be a great challenge. Paul Short will be great preparation for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regionals, which will be held at Lehigh. We always enjoy the IC4A-ECAC Championships, which will be on an unfamiliar course in Long Island, but it is always fun to race someplace new."
The season begins on Sept. 5 with a home dual meet against Lafayette, the first home competition since the 2022 Patriot League Championships. The Bucknell men last competed in a dual meet in 2011 when they fell to Duquesne. The women defeated Duquesne and Pittsburgh in 2011.Â
The dual meet's return is a pleasant development. The Bison men historically dominated the format, once winning 167 straight duals from 1974 to 1990 before a loss to UConn snapped the streak. The Orange & Blue male harriers have not won a dual since defeating Rutgers, Siena, and Syracuse on Sept. 8, 2001 at the Gulden Duals.Â
Bucknell travels to its Central Pennsylvania neighbor and Route 45 Rival Penn State for the annual Harry Groves Spiked Shoe Invitational on Sept. 11. The Bison skipped the competition in 2025. The men finished 15th and the women placed ninth in the 2024 edition.Â
The Bison will rest for three weeks before returning to another meet absent from the 2025 docket in Lehigh's massive Paul Short Run. The Orange & Blue men placed 22nd and the women's squad slotted 20th in 2024. The return to Lehigh gives the Bucknell runners the chance to scout the course for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships.
Bucknell travels to the Big Apple for the historic and traditional IC4A-ECAC Championships on Oct. 17. A favorite meet of Donner, the Bison have been among the meet's powerhouses, The women won silver and the men placed seventh in 2025.Â
The regular season concludes with the Bucknell Open on Oct. 23. The meet's resurgence allows for a final tune-up and a final race for the non-league roster.Â
Halloween brings a special treat as Bucknell hosts the Patriot League Championships for the first season since 2022. The Bison women finished second in 2025, its highest placement since 2019. The men were fifth. The Bison will host an alumni reunion after the championships.Â
The Orange & Blue harriers return to Bethlehem on Nov. 13 for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships. The women's team finished seventh, the best performance of any Patriot League school and higher than Power Four foes Maryland and Pittsburgh. The men's squadron placed 12th.Â
Along with America250, Bucknell cross country will celebrate several milestones in 2026. During the nation's Bicentennial in 1976, the women's program achieved varsity status while the men's team went 13-0 and captured the ECC title.
Both Bison teams return a wealth of experience and talent. Team captains for the men are Carter Paul and Ethan Pratt-Perez. Kailey Granger and Katie Moncavage helm the women's squad. A team preview will be released in the coming weeks.Â
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Women's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
/ Men's Cross Country
Thursday, July 30
Saturday, July 18
Saturday, July 18
Tuesday, June 09