Aggie Women XC Preview

The reigning South Central Regional Champions and National qualifiers are back and reloaded for a chance to qualify for nationals once again. After a historic win at the regional meet last season, the Aggies return a bulk of that lineup spearheaded by the dynamic trio of Debora Cherono, Megan Roberts, and Sophia Bendet.

This trio placed 7th, 12th, and 23rd respectively at the regional meet and will look to improve on that finish. Along with Joyce Kemboi's 4th place and Elise Cawthra's 25th, the Aggies would take down Arkansas, who has historically won the meet almost every season, LSU, Tulane, and tu. The regional championship win capped of a strong season for the ladies who now come into 2026 looking to defend their title.

Obviously the biggest question mark is the departure of Joyce Kemboi who was our best runner last season. After only one season in Aggieland where Kemboi saw plenty of success, Kemboi has transferred to D2 East Central. She didn't run outdoors for us, but had a magnificent cross country season and indoor track season. East Central doesn't have a strong women's distance program, however they have added a strong Kenyan presence to their lineup. It really hurts to see her leave, but I wish her all the best. We also lose a strong piece in Elise (Smoot) Cawthra who came in absolutely clutch for us at regionals as our fifth runner. We don't make nationals if it wasn't for her. It also hurts not to see San Juanita Leal on the roster, probably one of the biggest signings A&M has ever had out of the high school ranks, but she has unfortunately dealt with injuries, so I hope she can get healthy first and foremost.

The great news is that two Aggies, Kennady Fontenot and Emma Little were given another year of eligibility after having to use a medical redshirt last season. The two seniors will get one more chance to represent the Aggies and will look to get back to nationals after the duo qualified in 2023. They add experience and leadership to this talented squad. Here's hoping they remain healthy and are able to compete!

The Aggies will look to the trio of Debora Cherono, Megan Roberts, and Sophia Bendet who were enormous for us last season. Roberts is now a junior, with Cherono and Bendet only sophomores. I can't wait to see the improvement this season as they all had great track seasons as well. To replace Kemboi's production, we'll absolutely need these three to take another step forward and I know they absolutely will. To repeat we will absolutely need 3 girls in the top 15 or 4 girls in the top 20.

The next question is who else will step up. Fontenot when healthy is at the caliber of those three women and has consistently been in the top 5 for the Aggies since she was a freshman. Emma Little had a strong outdoor track season after missing cross country, so it'll be interesting to see how she looks out there as well. The Aggies also return the Flower Mound duo of Alexandra Fox and Ava Cole. They both looked great in their freshman campaigns and showed promise. It would be huge if they can take another leap forward and contend for one of the top 5 spots. Fox had a tremendous track season for the Aggies. Also returning is Penelope Gracey and Maddie Peters who's enter their third season with the Aggies. The only addition to the roster was freshman Laney Barnes of Cyrpess Woods High School who had a monstrous cross country career, where she had a 5k best of 16:34 and other races under 17 minutes which is insane. I definitely can see her contend for a top 5 spot and if so, that would mean great things for our ladies.

Now with the scholarship limits for SEC programs set at 10, the women's roster is a lot smaller. However, I still believe this lineup is absolutely stacked and ready for another run at nationals. We have some great veteran upperclassmen, some dominant and impressive freshman and sophomores. Most importantly they all know what it takes to get there. Aggie women's cross country has had some great success as of late and it's not time for that to end. The standard here has raised and national berths are expected! As for the competition, Arkansas has added some quality transfers and international pieces after failing to qualify for nationals in maybe the first time ever. Tulane has reloaded tremendously, LSU returns a strong core, but keep your eye on Corpus Christi who has 5 Kenyans on their roster and returns the regional champion.

However, we are the defending South central Regional Champions for a reason. Keep an eye out for the ladies this season as I expect a strong year for them. It will be interesting to see how they stack up early on and I love watching these early meets to see who's progressed and who's looking to contend for the top 5 spots! Let's go defend our title!!

Aggie Men XC Preview

Our 2026 Aggie across Country returns to action after losing some key veteran pieces but still returns a strong upperclassmen contingent paired with a superstar freshman in Michael Moiben set to make his Aggie cross country debut.

Last season the men had a strong season with many successful meets capping off the season with a strong third place finish at the South Central Regional Championships. The Aggie men were led by now senior Jack Johnston who placed 9th in the talented field, and the excellent senior duo of Cooper Cawthra and Victor Kibiego who are gone. Youssef Asslouj was also a big piece that has now transferred to Cincinnati, along with Diego Heredia who also transferred to a power 4 school in Boston College after graduating. Right behind them were Gavin Chapa and Carter Gordy, both who are expected to be huge pieces this year.

It's been awhile since the Aggie men's cross country team was without Cooper Cawthra but no running pro, the Aggies are losing a strong piece. Victor Kibiego struggled with injuries during his Aggie tenure, but was still extremely productive when he ran for us. Asslouj was a strong piece and will be a loss as well.

Leading the men will be national qualifier Jack Johnston. The senior has been a mainstay at the top for the Aggies during his cross country career and I expect this to be his best season yet in the maroon and white. Last season he placed 9th in a top heavy field at regionals and the Aggies will absolutely need another top ten finish. Also returning is Carter Gordy who had a major breakout season that saw his times drop significantly. He's been improving each year, a testament to his hard work and character and I expect him to continue that progression. Sophomore Gavin Chapa returns after an amazing freshman debut that saw him smoothly transition from the high school 5k distance to the 10k college distance. Another year of training and I expect him to make a huge jump! The two men were 26th and 27th at regionals last season. Them two breaking into the top twenty is the next step and would bode huge for the Aggies. The last runner at regionals for the Aggies was Hunter Jackson who placed 46th at regionals. He had a great season on the track so I expect that improvement to continue this fall.

The Aggies also return a core of upperclassmen including Zack Munger who was coming back from injury last season, but is extremely talented when healthy. Also coming back who missed last season is middle distance specialist Luca Santorum. While he's shined in the 800/1500 he is a great cross country runner as well. As Cawthra was, but we saw Cawthra make huge strides on the grass, especially as an upperclassmen. Hopefully we similar for Santorum. Also returning are seniors Ondrej Gajdos, Aiden Gonzalez-Rodiles, and Noah Willows. Hopefully we see them make a huge jump as well.

There are two newcomers to the cross country team this season. One made his Aggie debut in January, Michael Moiben. Moiben came in a took down the Texas A&M record in the 5000 and 10000 in his first collegiate season. He joined the team in the spring semester so this will be his first cross country season. Theirs is lots to be excited for as I think he will even be a better cross country runner as the longer distances are his strength. Expect him to be a national qualifier and fighting near the top of the sec and region. Hopefully he can gain confidence as the season goes on and run extremely well. Also added to the team is Italian runner Alessandro Passquinucci. Like his countrymen Santorum, Passquinucci is a mid distance specialist as well. I'm not sure how he'll look on the grass or if he's set to compete this season, but I'm excited to see.

The men are in an extremely tough region with Arkansas and Tulane. Both are schools with talent from 1-10, especially international talent. Arkansas reloaded heavily through the transfer portal. Tu who's suffered some down years added a professional Kenyan runner who's bests are close to ncaa records and they added another high caliber runner as well. Look out for Corpus Christi and SFA who have multiple Africans on their roster and they will be making some noise as well.

As for us, we are going to need Moiben and Johnston in the top ten, but we're going to need to see another jump from Gordy and Chapa. There will be a battle for the 5-7 runners or possibly one or more can even challenge our top 4 runners. The more competition on the roster the better. A healthy Zack Munger or Luca Santorum can make a huge difference. I think the men can have a great season despite losing 3 of the top 5 runners from last season. The Aggies are loaded with upperclassmen who have been through the cross country grind. They've put in many miles, they have some tremendous underclassmen in Moiben and Chapa, now it's time to show out on the grass!

4 Home Meets!! Exciting!! Can't wait to see how the roster unfolds, we only added one recruit out of high school, Laney Barnes on the women's side. None on the men's side. Interested to see who's back, which of the seniors such as Victor Kibiego, Kennady Fontenot, and Emma Little will be back after medical redshirts. I'm also interested to see if there's any additions to our roster. Will be fun to see Michael Moiben on the grass for us this fall!!

Julia Abell is no longer coaching either, so as of now it's Wendel McRaven only, will see if we add another assistant or not.

Cross Country Rosters

Thoroughly slimmed down. Only new names are Laney Barnes, incoming freshman, for the women and Alessandro Pasquinucci for the men, who appears to be a transfer.

Pasquinucci

Still wearing Nike in the roster photos.....

No Joyce Kemboi, let me go cry

Team previews are posted, will get to tomorrow's meet preview later today!!!

It's cross country time baby!

No schools attending or lineups have been posted

**** Cross Country: 2026 Aggie Opener ****

Meet: Aggie Opener
Location: Dale Watts Cross Country Course - Bryan - College Station, Texas
Date: September 4th
Live Results: https://flashresults.com/2027_Meets/xc/AggieOpener/rosters(4col).pdf
Distance: Women - 2 Mile, Men - 5k


Preview coming soon… no start lists or schools attending updated! C'mon Burrell, I got previews to write over here

Based on past experience, probably low-key and not many schools

Assumed so, probably like 3 or 4 schools, just excited for the season to start again and how we run, although not much to gain from a meet like this besides shaking off some rust

Texas A&M-CC
Baylor
Houston Christian
Texas Southern
Houston

Interesting, more competition than I expected, wonder if Corpus is running all their new international runners. They added 5 Kenyans on each side

Houston about to be here every time the lights come on

https://flashresults.com/2027_Meets/xc/AggieOpener/rosters(4col).pdf

All women scheduled to run except Sophia Bendet, men without Luca Santorum, Ondrej Gajdos, Alessandro Passquinucci, Cater Gordy not running

A&M Corpus Christi girls seem to be running a few talented runners

Serious question here. Are they running today??

Why's that? Is the weather poor?

Women are off

No Sophia Bendet or Debora Cherono for the women

Woah it's freshman Laney Barnes leading the way for the Aggies tonight

Aggie women win the team title!

Barnes, Fox, and Roberts all under 11 minutes which is awesome!

I never saw a time anywhere and use to seeing these things in the morning. Besides Friday before a home football game I would have downed at least 2 six packs by the time it started.

Oh I get you! Yeah not use to us running an evening race, especially a week before we host a bigger meet! More of a workout/rust buster I suppose

No surprise, easy 5k win for Jack Johnston in a 14:48, won by nearly 24 seconds

1. Jack Johnston - 14:48
3. Gavin Chapa - 15:16
7. Hunter Jackson - 15:32
8. Aiden Gonzalez-Rodiles - 15:35
14. Noah Willows - 15:53
19. Zack Munger - 16:09

Aggie men get the narrow win over Houston

Lot of experience in that group. Only one underclassman.

I'm hoping to see one or two of them have a monster breakout season! Assuming full health, Michael Moiben will be our high point scorer. We'll need Chapa and Carter Gordy to keep running strong and hopefully take another leap, then we need some others to help! I'm excited to see what this Friday brings

Meet: Texas A&M Invitational

Location: Dale Watts Cross Country Course - Bryan - College Station, Texas
Date: September 11th
Distance: Women - 5k , Men - 8k
Time: Men - 8am, Women - 8:35

Live Results: https://flashresults.com/2027_Meets/xc/TAMUinvite/index.htm



Meet Preview
Howdy folks and welcome back to Dale Watts Cross Country Course as your Aggies are back for a home race here in Aggieland! Last Friday the Aggies opened the season up with a little tuneup up of a race with the women only running 2 miles and the men running a 5k. Tomorrow morning the distance crew kicks it up a notch as they will run a 6k and an 8k, with the women kicking off things with that 6k at 8am.

Last time out the Ags won both team competitions over the field of Houston, TCU, Baylor, Corpus, Houston Christian, and Texas Southern. It was fabulous freshman Laney Barnes, from Cypress, Texas, who put on a show in her collegiate debut and led the women's team through the 2 mile race in 10:48. That time was only 7 seconds off her 2 mile best on the track so that should be a strong indication of how she has been adjusting to the collegiate training. She would place second overall with sophomore Alexandra Fox a second behind her in 3rd, and the accomplished redshirt junior Megan Roberts in 4th. Rounding out the top 5 for the Ags would be grad students Emma Little and Kennady Fontenot in 11th and 14th. Both who were granted another year of eligibility after medically missing the majority of last cross country season. It's great to have both national qualifiers back out there.

On the men's side, it wasn't as short of a race as they ran a 5k, but it was the consistent performance of Jack Johnston leading the way for the Aggies as he'd win the race in 14:48. Death, taxes, and Jack Johnston leading the way for the Ags! In 3rd place would be sophomore Gavin Chapa who had an excellent freshman campaign and is back for more, be on the look out for the San Antonio runner! Rounding out the top 5 would be the veteran senior trio of Hunter Jackson, Aiden Gonzalez-Rodiles, and Noah Willows who'd finish 7th, 8th, and 14th respectively.

Now it's time we kick it up a gear. As Laney Barnes said post race, "now I'm excited to up the distance and race with my teammates." The championship distances for the women at regionals is a 6k so the 5k will be a strong indication of our strength, although it's still very early in the season. You can always use these early meets to see improvements made by runners over the off season. Aggie standout Debora Cherono isn't listed to run and I hope we're just saving her legs early on in the season and she's not injured. Several men are out including Michael Moiben whose cross country debut were anxiously waiting on, Carter Gordy who ran excellent last year, and Luca Santorum who hasn't raced in an Aggie uniform in a long long while.

There will be about 15 other schools in attendance so we will get to race against a much bigger field. We'll get to see how our team performs and races strategically. We'll see schools like Stephen F Austin, tu, TCU, and Houston out on the course. SFA has some excellent runners with 6 international runners on each side. They will absolutely provide some excellent competition. Tu surprisingly showing up to a meet in Aggieland (which is rare), will provide some great competition as well despite not running their top two men. They're bringing most of their women's squad. TCU has some excellent runners on the men's side including Mohamed Kowa and some talented underclassmen. SMU with only a women's team has some great runners with 8 international runners, led by Rose Mburu and Mary Nyangate.

However it's all about the Ags early on. I'm excited to see how we look early in the season. I want to see us put on a show for the home crowd. We'll have a near full women's team and I'm excited to see how they race together. I want to see how our veteran men's squad races as well! If you're free Friday morning I definitely recommend heading out to the cross country course. The course is spectator viewing friendly. There will also be some talented high school races before the college races. Schools such as Katy, Bridgeland, Aledo, several San Antonio schools, and several other Houston area schools, as well as the talented Latta sisters who are home schooled based out of San Antonio. It'll be a great day for cross country. Go support your amazing Aggie distance runners Friday morning and watch them BTHO everyone!

Pretty small collegiate meet, with the main competition being tu, SFA, TCU, and SMU on the girls side.

Aggie women have all their lineup registered aside from Debora Cherono. Men are without Carter Gordy, Michael Moiben, and Luca Santorum.

Tu men not running their two huge Kenyan signees. SFA has some strong international talent running.