GREENVILLE, S.C. - Furman director of cross country/track and field Robert Gary announced today the team's 2026 schedule.

"Our schedule reflects the values of this program," said Gary.  "We want our athletes competing at the highest level against the best teams in the country, while also creating meaningful opportunities for the development of our entire squad.  At Furman, we believe those goals go hand in hand and position us for the best possible outcomes."

The Paladins will again open the season by entertaining various teams at the Furman Invitational, which will be held on the Furman University Golf Course.  The day will begin with the women's 6K race at 9 a.m., and the men's 6K race will follow at 9:45 a.m.  Admission is free and fans are welcome.

Furman will split its squads on Sept. 25.  Select members of the team will compete at the Sean Earl Loyola Lakefront Invitational in Chicago, Ill, while remaining athletes will run at the Tryon Fall XC Festival at the Tryon Equestrian Center.

On October 9, the Paladins will again compete in two meets, with part of the team running at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational in Madison, Wis., and other athletes competing at the Queens' Royals Cross Country Challenge, at McAlpine Creek Park in Charlotte, N.C.

The Upstate Invite is scheduled for Oct. 17 at Milliken Research Park in Spartanburg, S.C., which will also serve as the site for the NCAA Southeast Regional.  

Furman, the 13-time defending Southern Conference champion on both the men's and women's sides, will travel to the Tryon Equestrian Center for the league championship meet on Oct. 31 before returning to Spartanburg on Nov. 13 for the NCAA regional event.

The NCAA Championship is slated for Nov. 21 in Terre Haute, Ind.