Cross Country Begins 2026 Season in Memphis

Saturday, September 5

Memphis, TN

9:20 AM

Southern Illinois University

City Auto Memphis Twilight

Photo by: Malayna Russell

09/04/2026 | 9:00:00 | Cross Country

By: Susy Hernandez

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University Cross Country team will open its 2026 season on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic in Memphis, Tennessee.
The meet, hosted at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, will begin with the women's 5K race at 9:20 p.m., followed by the men's four-mile race at 10 p.m.
SIU's women's team will consist of 11 runners:

The men's team will have eight runners:

The City Auto Memphis Twilight Classic will mark the first competition of the 2026 campaign for the Salukis and the beginning of a seven-meet schedule that includes stops in Cape Girardeau, Chicago, Notre Dame and Terre Haute before the Missouri Valley Conference Championship on Oct. 30.
The meet will give Southern Illinois its first opportunity of the season to see a mix of returning runners and newcomers compete together. Several experienced Salukis return on both sides, including Hannah Meiser, Savanna Franzen, Riley Linville and Allyson Niedfeldt for the women, along with Ben Chance, Calen George, Will Foltz, Brady Faulkner and Drew Twyman for the men.
The women's race is scheduled for 9:20 p.m. CT, with the men's race following at 10 p.m. CT.

TRACK THE RACE
Live race results can be found here.

FOLLOW THE SALUKIS

For the latest updates on the Salukis, follow the team on X (@SIUTrackXC), Instagram (@SIUTrackXC) and Facebook (@SalukiTrackAndField).