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. 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:
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

https://instagr.am/p/Dc2LdUdCa7N

Houston about to be here every time the lights come on